Honduran President, Defeated Candidates Ask UN to Mediate National Dialogue

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Jan. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, the government of Honduras sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres requesting his help in finding a mediator to facilitate a post-election Honduran dialogue that works toward peace.

"Hondurans deserve an open conversation about how all parties can work together in the public interest," President Hernández said. "I've asked the United Nations to support a national dialogue on safety, security, and economic growth in Honduras."

According to Ebal Díaz, executive secretary of Honduras's Council of Ministers and a top aide to the president, the Hernández administration and defeated presidential candidates Salvador Nasralla and Luis Zelaya asked the United Nations to provide a mediator for the dialogue. All parties are now waiting on the UN's response.

Díaz stressed that in the dialogue, "The main actors are the dialoguing parties, and the United Nations will help us ensure that no one feels excluded. The important thing is that the agreements reached are binding."

Last week, President Hernández asked Mr. Nasralla and Mr. Zelaya to meet privately to discuss the terms of a national dialogue. According to Díaz, the president is willing to engage in a conversation with Mr. Nasralla, Mr. Zelaya, and leaders of Honduran society without any pre-conditions on the final terms of agreement. Díaz added that President Hernández will ask the National Congress to pass appropriate legislation for any agreements reached.

According to the Honduran Supreme Electoral Tribunal's final tally of the November 26 presidential election vote, President Hernández, the National Party's candidate, received 42.95 percent of presidential ballots. Salvador Nasralla received 41.24 percent, and Luis Zelaya received 14.74 percent.

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SOURCE Republic of Honduras