Bogota - At least 45 rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) were killed Saturday in an aerial bombardment of Meta province, the Caracol radio station reported.

The attack came as Colombian forces were hunting down Jorge Briceno, one of the leaders of the leftist rebel organization.

FARC, who have been fighting the state for more than 45 years, largely finance themselves with proceeds from drug trafficking.

The Marxist rebels have been pushed back by determined action under conservative President Alvaro Uribe, but have so far rejected negotiations and refused to renounce violence.(dpa)