Honduras' Ousted Prez Returning to Office

Honduras' 4-month political standoff appears to be over. After intense lobbying from US diplomats, the coup-installed interim president, Roberto Micheletti, has agreed to allow ousted President Manuel Zelaya to return to office to serve his remaining 3 months. Congress, which backed the June coup that sent Zelaya packing, is expected to approve the deal. Both sides also have agreed to honor the results of presidential elections next month.

"We are optimistic because Hondurans can reach agreements that are fulfilled," Zelaya told an opposition radio station. "This signifies my return to power in the coming days, and peace for Honduras." Assuming it holds, the agreement ends a foreign policy headache for the US. Hillary Clinton called it a "historic agreement," noting "this is a big step forward for the inter-American system." (More Honduras stories.)