( CNN ) -- Ingrid Betancourt has been reunited with her children for the first time in six years since her abduction by FARC rebels in Colombia . Ingrid Betancourt , center , with her daughter Melanie and son Lorenzo . Betancourt , 46 , who was rescued Wednesday in a daring operation by the Colombian Army , met with her daughter , Melanie Delloye , and son , Lorenzo Delloye-Betancourt , on the steps of a plane that had just arrived from France at a Colombian airport . The three tearfully clung together , hugging and kissing each other fervently before disappearing inside the plane . `` They look so different , but they look so much the same at the same time ; they are so beautiful , '' Betancourt told reporters . `` The last time I saw my children , Lorenzo was very small ... I could lift him up , he looked like my nephew who is right here , '' Betancourt said later , as she stood between her children , both now taller than she . There are `` many dreams I want to share with them ... I have so many things that I want to say to them , '' she added . Her children , now adults , were accompanied on the plane by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner . Betancourt , a dual French national who grew up in Paris , is a cause celebre across Europe , where scores of cities had adopted her since her abduction in February 2002 . She will travel to Paris Thursday night , said Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos . Her release dominated the pages and broadcasts of French newspapers , Web sites and television stations . French President Nicolas Sarkozy had made her rescue a priority and in a televised address after her release expressed his happiness and thanks to the Colombian government , while urging FARC members to `` stop this absurd combat , this fight . '' `` There were a lot of deceptions , but they always believed and they always had confidence , '' Sarkozy said . `` There is always a small glimmer of hope and today the joy is huge . All of France is happy to welcome back Ingrid Betancourt . '' Watch Sarkozy thank the Colombian government » . Dominique Paille , a leading political figure in France , told the newspaper Le Monde her release was `` extraordinary news '' and a `` grand day '' for France , humanitarian works , and the government . Segolene Royal , Sarkozy 's opponent in last year 's presidential election , said it was a joyous moment , particularly for Betancourt 's children . `` They have never lost hope . They have always believed the liberation of their mother was possible , '' she told Le Monde . Watch Betancourt talk about her release » . The French newspaper Liberation hailed Betancourt as a `` national symbol , '' saying her long imprisonment had become a tragic example of the effects of the war between FARC and the Colombian government . Le Figaro praised the `` coup '' of the Colombian Army 's bluff in freeing Betancourt and the 14 other hostages , saying it was also a personal victory for Sarkozy . Read more about the rescue operation . French Justice Minister Rachida Dati told the newspaper the result was without precedent . Former French President Jacques Chirac told Le Figaro it was a `` true relief '' for all of Betancourt 's family and those close to her .
NEW : ' Betancourt meets with her children for the first time in 20 years . French President Nicolas Sarkozy leads celebrations with TV cameras . He calls on FARC to lay down their weapons and end ` ` absurd . '' decides to visit France after meeting with children in Colombia .