Shakira has flown to Paris, France to meet recently freed political prisoner INGRID BETANCOURT.

The singer was the first celebrity to note the rescue of 15 captives who were held by revolutionaries in her native Colombia, releasing a statement on the day Betancourt was freed.

And, on Wednesday (16Jul08), Shakira met the former Colombian presidential candidate at the Hotel Meurice in Paris.

In her former statement, Shakira hailed the hostage rescue as "a historic day for all of us, for this country that has suffered a lot."

The singer added, "What a proud day to be Colombian!"