GENEVA, August 6, 2008 (AFP) - The international Red Cross said Wednesday it deplored the apparent 'deliberate misuse' of its emblem by Colombian forces during the liberation of hostage Ingrid Betancourt last month.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that Colombian TV footage showed a member of the army was sporting the emblem before the operation to release the 15 hostages on July 2 had even begun.

'If authenticated, these images would clearly establish an improper use of the red cross emblem, which we deplore,' said the ICRC's deputy director of operations, Dominik Stillhart.