This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8339995.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Honduras politicians study deal Honduras politicians defer vote
(about 3 hours later)
The leadership of the Honduran Congress is set to start considering an accord that might lead to the return to power of ousted President Manual Zelaya. Leaders of the Honduran Congress have deferred a vote on the reinstatement of deposed president Manuel Zelaya and asked the Supreme Court for its view.
The deal was signed last week by teams representing Mr Zelaya and the interim government that came to power in June. A Congressional vote on Mr Zelaya's reinstatement is a key component of a deal struck last week to end the current political crisis.
Leaders in Congress have yet to say when they will put the deal to a vote. Correspondents say the latest move may lead to the collapse of the agreement.
Meanwhile, officials from the US and Chile are due to arrive in Honduras to join a panel monitoring the deal, which proposes a power-sharing government. Meanwhile, officials from the US and Chile have arrived in Honduras to join a panel monitoring the deal.
US Labour Secretary Hilda Solis and former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos will be accompanied by representatives from the Organization of American States (OAS). US Labour Secretary Hilda Solis and former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos are being joined by representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS).
The accord - backed by the US and the OAS - proposes a power-sharing government.
Mr Zelaya has warned that he might consider the agreement null and void if Congress fails to vote to reinstate him by Thursday - the deadline for the full implementation of the accord.
Once congressional leaders understand the reach of the pact... then we'll decide what path to follow Jose Alfredo Saavedra,Congressional leader Pact in the balanceOnce congressional leaders understand the reach of the pact... then we'll decide what path to follow Jose Alfredo Saavedra,Congressional leader Pact in the balance
The panel will also include members of Honduras' two main political parties. However, the meeting of 13 senior Honduran lawmakers decided not to call a special session of Congress - currently in recess - until they receive opinions from the Supreme Court and the attorney general, officials said.
As well as implementing a power-sharing agreement, the deal would require Mr Zelaya and his political rival, interim leader Roberto Micheletti, to recognise the result of a presidential poll due to take place on 29 November. No deadline was established for a vote on Mr Zelaya's reinstatement.
Pact dynamics "The majority voted to send the matter to the Supreme Court, but there were votes against that idea, from those who want to immediately vote on Zelaya's restitution," Congressman Marvin Ponce of the Democratic Unification Party told Reuters.
Speaking on Monday, Congressional leader Jose Alfredo Saavedra said he would not rush Congress' vote on the accord, despite calls from foreign diplomats not to delay. As well as implementing a power-sharing agreement, the deal requires Mr Zelaya and his political rival, interim leader Roberto Micheletti, to recognise the result of a presidential poll due to take place on 29 November.
Speaking on Monday, Congressional leader Jose Alfredo Saavedra said he would not rush Congress's vote on the accord, despite calls from foreign diplomats not to delay.
"Once congressional leaders understand the reach of the pact, once they understand its dynamics, then we'll decide what path to follow," he told HRN radio."Once congressional leaders understand the reach of the pact, once they understand its dynamics, then we'll decide what path to follow," he told HRN radio.
Mr Saavedra also said he wanted to consult the country's Supreme Court, which is expected to give a non-binding opinion on the deal. Supporters of Mr Zelaya have been demonstrating outside the Honduran congressional building, threatening to boycott the election if he is not reinstated immediately.
Supporters of Mr Zelaya demonstrated outside the Honduran congressional building on Monday, threatening to boycott the election if he is not reinstated immediately. Forced out
The president was forced out of the country on 28 June. He has been sheltering in the Brazilian embassy in the capital, Tegucigalpa, since making a surprise return to Honduras on 21 September. Mr Zelaya was forced out of the country on 28 June. He has been sheltering in the Brazilian embassy in the capital, Tegucigalpa, since making a surprise return to Honduras on 21 September.
His critics said he was seeking to amend the constitution to remove the current one-term limit on serving as president, and pave the way for his re-election - a claim he denies.His critics said he was seeking to amend the constitution to remove the current one-term limit on serving as president, and pave the way for his re-election - a claim he denies.
Analysts say a key detail of the arrangement is that Mr Zelaya comes back to power, so that Honduras' scheduled elections - to decide who will replace him - are deemed valid. Analysts say a key detail of the arrangement is that Mr Zelaya comes back to power, so that Honduras's scheduled elections - to decide who will replace him - are deemed valid.