El Salvador to re-establish relations with Honduras after new president’s inauguration

El Salvador to recognize Honduras’ new government

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes says he will re-establish ties with neighboring Honduras when president-elect Porfirio Lobo is sworn into office.

Funes says “we will start the process of normalizing relations” following Lobo’s inauguration on Wednesday. Funes was elected on the ticket of the leftist FMLN party formed by former Salvadoran rebels.

The term of ousted President Manuel Zelaya ends on Wednesday.

Some Latin American nations do not recognize Lobo’s victory in November elections, because the vote was held under the interim government that replaced Zelaya.

A leader of Honduras’ congress says lawmakers will start considering a bill on Tuesday to grant an amnesty to those involved in the June 28 coup that removed Zelaya.