At least 10,000 Colombian soldiers and police have stormed a rebel-held stronghold in southern Colombia after day-long government bombing of the zone on Thursday.

Officials say the Colombian Air Force hit at least 85 rebel targets after President Andres Pastrana announced Wednesday he has ended the peace process.

Rebel fighters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia have apparently retreated into the jungle to avoid being captured.

The military offensive took place one day after rebels allegedly hijacked a passenger plane and forced it to land near their stronghold area. They also kidnapped a prominent senator who was on board the aircraft.

In Washington, the State Department said it supports the Pastrana government's decision to crack down on the rebel force.

But U.S. officials say no consideration is being given to using U.S. troops in a combat role in the Andean nation. U.S. military assistance in Colombia is limited to counternarcotics efforts.

In a related development, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the recent actions by the rebels, known as the FARC, violate international law. Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency says some of Colombia's neighbors have reinforced security along their borders amid concern its 38-year civil war will spill over into their territories.

The conflict has left at least 40,000 people dead in the past decade alone. The war pits the FARC and a smaller rebel force (the National Liberation Army) against the government and a right-wing paramilitary group.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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