It never said, however, that it would stop kidnapping for so-called political means to pressure the government. The FARC is classified as a terrorist group by the United States and European Union.
As the fighting broke out, Langlois removed his bulletproof vest and helmet and ran toward the rebels, who were dressed in civilian clothes, possibly in a bid to prove he was not a member of the armed forces, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon told reporters.
There would be no attempts to rescue Langlois, if the FARC holds him, without first consulting the French government, Pinzon said.
"There are military operations in the area, but we aren't planning any rescue because we don't know where the journalist is," Pinzon said.
"At the moment we know what happened; we will talk to the French government."
PEACE GESTURES
Juppe said this was an opportunity for the rebel group to prove its pledge to cease kidnapping for ransom. He called on them to immediately release Langlois.
The last French citizen held by the FARC was dual-national Ingrid Betancourt, kidnapped in 2002. Colombian soldiers rescued her in 2008.
France 24 said the head of its international arm and one of its journalists specialized in Colombia would travel to Bogota on Monday to liaise with local authorities.
The insurgent group has made peace gestures in recent months as a U.S.-backed offensive batters its front lines, halving its fighting force and killing top commanders.
The International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters it is worried about Langlois and willing to help in any process to free him. The group has not been contacted by the FARC, according to a Red Cross official who asked not to be named.
President Juan Manuel Santos has said he remains open to peace talks only if the group ceases all attacks against civilian and military targets and stops kidnapping.
(Additional reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Editing by Eric Walsh)
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