Oct. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez asked his Colombian counterpart for ``greater collaboration'' in negotiations with that country's biggest guerrilla group to secure the release of hostages.

A meeting between Chavez and leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia to discuss an exchange of hostages for jailed guerillas, originally scheduled for tomorrow and sanctioned by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, was canceled last week. Unresolved questions about how the guerilla delegation would get to Caracas and which rebels may be eligible for release held up the talks.

``I feel it here in my soul,'' Chavez said today during his Sunday television program. ``We could come to a humanitarian agreement.''

The negotiations are of ``supreme importance,'' Chavez said. He asked Uribe to help provide secure conditions for a meeting between the Venezuelan president and Representatives of the FARC, as the guerilla group is known.

Uribe will meet with Chavez in Venezuela Oct. 12 to discuss a hostage exchange and inaugurate a new gas pipeline between the two countries.

Chavez also asked the Colombian president today to do away with tolls charged to vehicles crossing the border between the two countries, which has sparked protests by Venezuelan truckers who have blocked roads leading into Colombia.

``Eliminate those tolls,'' Chavez said. ``It's a friendly suggestion.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Matthew Walter in Caracas at mwalter4@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 7, 2007 16:33 EDT