Honduran interim gov't to restore Zelaya

Honduran de facto leader, Roberto Micheletti, has announced a deal to reinstate the deposed President, Manuel Zelaya, in a move to end the country's political turmoil.

In a late night statement on October 29, Micheletti said, "I am pleased to announce that a few minutes ago my negotiating team signed an agreement that marks the beginning of the end," of the Central American state's political instability, AFP reported.

His comments, following last week's complete standoff in power-sharing talks, were meant to resolve the Hispanic nation's political crisis after the de facto government's refusal to re-establish Zelaya, who had earlier rejected Micheletti's offer to step down if Zelaya gave up his claim to the presidency.

Zelaya had also accused the military-backed regime of trying to drag out the discussions in the run-up to November 29, when an election is to be held to choose a new leader.

Micheletti's decision on Thursday awaits Congressional endorsement before Zelaya can return to power.

Micheletti swept to power in a military-brokered June 28 coup and sent the ousted Zelaya into exile, drawing a wave of national and international condemnation for the overthrow of the government.

The latest announcement would end the four months political crisis that crippled Honduras, should the deal be approved by the county's top legal body.