U.S. Is Backing Coup Leader, Sources Say

U.S. diplomats are brokering a deal that would allow a military leader installed in last month’s coup to be officially recognized as president, sources close to the talks said. The deal would require Pierre Buyoya to restore the National Assembly with its original membership, according to the sources. Buyoya would have six months to negotiate peace between warring Hutus and Tutsis before being required to restore the constitution, according to another source. Burundi’s legitimate president, Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, is at the U.S. ambassador’s residence, where he took refuge before the coup.