Decision on Zelaya's return postponed

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Honduran Congress won't convene a special session to consider returning ousted President Manuel Zelaya to power, a legislative committee has decided.

The panel of 13 lawmakers voted instead to wait until Congress receives non-binding legal opinions from the Central American country's Supreme Court, attorney general and others, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The lawmakers' decision puts a damper on Zelaya's chances of returning to power even temporarily under a deal brokered by the United States last week, the Journal says.

Both Zelaya and the interim government agreed to let the country's Congress decide the matter. In return, the United States promised to renew aid to Honduras and recognize the legitimacy of the upcoming Nov. 29 presidential election.

The election could take place before Congress decides on Zelaya's return.

Zelaya was ousted on June 28 just hours before an unpopular constitutional referendum.