Honduran Congress says it will decide after elections whether to restore ousted president

Honduran Congress will rule on Zelaya after vote

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — The leader of the Honduran Congress says lawmakers will not decide whether to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya until after Nov. 29 presidential elections.

Congressional president Jose Alfredo Saavedra says lawmakers will vote Dec. 2 on whether Zelaya should return to the presidency.

The decision raises questions about whether the international community will recognize the outcome of the elections.

Several countries have warned they will not recognize the vote unless Zelaya is restored beforehand. But the United States has not ruled out restoring diplomatic ties with a newly elected Honduran government even if Zelaya remains out of power through the vote.

Saavedra spoke Tuesday on local HRN radio station.