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Honduras lifts emergency decree | Honduras lifts emergency decree |
(30 minutes later) | |
Honduras' interim leader has lifted an emergency decree imposed after the country's ousted President Manuel Zelaya returned to the country. | Honduras' interim leader has lifted an emergency decree imposed after the country's ousted President Manuel Zelaya returned to the country. |
The decree suspended some civil liberties and also shut down two radio stations loyal to the president. | The decree suspended some civil liberties and also shut down two radio stations loyal to the president. |
But Roberto Micheletti told a new conference the ruling had now been "completely overturned". | But Roberto Micheletti told a new conference the ruling had now been "completely overturned". |
Mr Zelaya returned to Honduras two weeks ago, taking refuge in Brazil's embassy in the capital, Tegucigalpa. | Mr Zelaya returned to Honduras two weeks ago, taking refuge in Brazil's embassy in the capital, Tegucigalpa. |
"We've abolished the decree in the Council of Ministers," said Mr Micheletti. | "We've abolished the decree in the Council of Ministers," said Mr Micheletti. |
He was joined for the announcement by US Congresswoman leana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. | |
Earlier, Mr Micheletti said the 45-day decree, issued in late September as protests broke out following President Zelaya's return, was no longer needed as "there is peace" in the country. | |
Under the emergency legislation, gatherings of more than 20 people were banned, and freedom of movement and speech was limited. | Under the emergency legislation, gatherings of more than 20 people were banned, and freedom of movement and speech was limited. |
The emergency decree was condemned internationally, and those supporting the ousted president had demanded that it be lifted before negotiations between Mr Zelaya and the interim leader could begin. | The emergency decree was condemned internationally, and those supporting the ousted president had demanded that it be lifted before negotiations between Mr Zelaya and the interim leader could begin. |
Negotations | Negotations |
Talks, brokered by the Organisation of American States, are due to take place this week. | Talks, brokered by the Organisation of American States, are due to take place this week. |
class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8288114.stm">Military cordon around embassy class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8124154.stm">Q&A: Honduran crisis | |
The BBC's Charles Scanlon, in the region, says Mr Micheletti appears to be hinting at concessions to Mr Zelaya and his supporters. | The BBC's Charles Scanlon, in the region, says Mr Micheletti appears to be hinting at concessions to Mr Zelaya and his supporters. |
The interim government has previously refused to contemplate Mr Zelaya's key demand - that he be allowed to return to office - but even that now appears to be negotiable, says our correspondent. | The interim government has previously refused to contemplate Mr Zelaya's key demand - that he be allowed to return to office - but even that now appears to be negotiable, says our correspondent. |
Mr Micheletti told reporters: "If there are transparent elections in the country and we elect a new president, we can talk about any scenario, any solution." | |
Mr Zelaya was deposed in June after he angered the country's powerful conservatives by supporting left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. | Mr Zelaya was deposed in June after he angered the country's powerful conservatives by supporting left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. |
His opponents accused him of seeking to change the constitution to extend his term in office - an allegation he denies. | His opponents accused him of seeking to change the constitution to extend his term in office - an allegation he denies. |
Mr Zelaya, along with dozens of supporters and members of his family, remains holed up in the Brazilian embassy compound, which is surrounded by Honduran troops. |