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Honduras sets deal to end political crisis
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-31 09:58

TEGUCIGALPA: The negotiating commissions of the de facto Honduran government and of ousted President Manuel Zelaya delivered on Friday to the Congress the agreement setting an end to the political crisis in the country.

Honduras sets deal to end political crisis

Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya (L) shakes hands with US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon inside Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa October 30, 2009.[Agencies]

According to the agreement signed on Thursday night by both commissions, the Congress will have to take the decision about restituting or not Zelaya in power after consultation of the opinion of the Supreme Court of Justice.

Zelaya's representative Victor Meza and de facto government representative Vilma Morales delivered the signed agreement to the secretary of the parliament, Carlos Lara Watson.

Before receiving the agreement, the de facto president of the Congress Jose Alfredo Saavedra said the Congress will take the decision regarding Zelaya's restitution, according to what is established at the Honduran Constitution.

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"The Congress is obliged to consult the opinion of the Supreme Court of Justice before taking a decision about it," Saavedra said.

Meanwhile, Victor Rico, secretary of Political Affairs of the Organization of American States, said the Congress is sovereign and there is not a limit time for it to discuss Zelaya's restitution.

The agreement reached Thursday night includes the creation of a national reconciliation government, the rejection of a political amnesty, the recognition of the elections to be held on November 29, and the transfer of the Armed Forces mandate to the Electoral Supreme tribunal.

Both parties also agreed to create a commission to investigate the events occurred before, during and after Zelaya was ousted on June 28, which aroused the political crisis.

Both parties also agreed to request the international community to lift the sanctions against Honduras and to send observers for the elections to be held this month.