Well over a million Colombians, clad in white and shouting "No more kidnapping," marked their independence day on Sunday with marches and concerts demanding freedom for hostages still held by leftist rebels.

Demonstrators chanted "Libertad!" _ the Spanish word for freedom _ in rallies across the Andean nation and in some 40 cities abroad, including Paris, London, Miami, Beijing, Sydney and New York.

It was the second nationwide mobilization this year against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and its abhorred policy of kidnapping for ransom or political leverage. Latin America's last major rebel army holds dozens of hostages in Colombian jungle jails, some for more than a decade.

Bogota's central Plaza Bolivar was jammed with marchers waving miniature white peace flags, balloons and Colombia's red, blue and yellow flag and carrying banners reading "Free them now!"

One group of 20 marchers wore chains around their necks, mimicking conditions of captives.

At least 900,000 marched in the capital alone, said city police commander Gen. Rodolfo Palomino.

In the jungle border city of Leticia, native daughter Shakira performed after singing the national anthem at a military parade presided over by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, with the presidents of Brazil and Peru attending.

"Today is a historic day. We unite, unite our voices in a single shout: Liberty!" Shakira said. Some 120,000 musicians took the stage in cities and villages across Colombia, Uribe said.

In Paris, newly freed hostage Ingrid Betancourt presided over a concert held in the shadow of the Eiffel tower. She addressed FARC leader Alfonso Cano, whose fighters held her captive for more than six years.

"Understand that it's now time to stop spilling blood, that the time has come to exchange those rifles for roses," pleaded Betancourt, who showered hugs and kisses of appreciation on the concert headliners, Colombian singer Juanes and Spanish singer Miguel Bose.

The Paris-raised Betancourt, whom the FARC kidnapped in 2002 while she was running for Colombia's presidency, was rescued July 2 in a bloodless military mission along with 14 other hostages _ including three Americans. Continued...