IRIN - The military junta which seized power in the potentially oil-rich island state of Sao Tome and Principe last week, signed an agreement with international mediators on Wednesday to allow the reinstatement of the elected government of President Fradique de Menezes, news agencies with local correspondents reported. Menezes, who was visiting Nigeria at the time of the 16 July coup, flew back to the twin-island state, 240 km west of Gabon on Wednesday night, accompanied by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, they added. The French news agency AFP said the military junta, led by Major Fernando Pereira, had agreed to the return and reinstatement of Menezes in return for an amnesty for the coup leaders and their civilian collaborators and the formation of a new government. Reuters quoted a diplomat as saying fresh elections would be held with the presence of international observers. The deal was negotiated by diplomats from Portugal, Brazil, the United States and several African countries. The team was led by Rodolphe Adada, the foreign minister of Congo-Brazzaville.
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