Residents of Cucuta have welcomed the president's arrival

Colombian president Alvaro Uribe has moved his government to a north-eastern city in a bid to stamp his authority on the violence-wracked area.

The president, a number of ministers and top-ranking military officials will set up office at army barracks in the city of Cucuta for the next three days.

He hopes to improve security and the economy in and around the capital of Norte de Santander state, close to the border with Venezuela.

This is the second time President Uribe has moved his government to one of the cities most affected by the four-decade civil war.

In July, the administration governed from the city of Arauca, in what was seen as an act of defiance towards the rebel groups operating there.

"I am visiting Cucuta during a particularly difficult time for all the border area, with high unemployment, a lot of poverty and violence that has hit Norte de Santander, and which we must overcome," said President Uribe.

Humanitarian emergency

On his arrival, he formally handed over 184 government-provided homes to families in a poor neighbourhood of the 400,000-population Cucuta.

His troops are also attempting to oust rival rebel and paramilitary factions fighting for control of cocaine-producing areas of the region.

NGOs and union groups in Cucuta have said they will call on the president to declare a humanitarian emergency in the region.

Residents of Cucuta were said to have welcomed his arrival - and appreciate the risk the president, who has survived several assassination attempts, is taking.

"I pray every day and beseech God to protect him," Elida Blanco, 55, told Associated Press.

The move comes after a videotape was released of former senator Ingrid Betancourt who was kidnapped by guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) in February 2002.

Mr Uribe said he would act "very carefully" after she was shown pleading to be rescued.