The Honduran coup regime and representatives of the ousted President Manuel Zelaya have reached an agreement that could end a four-month-old political crisis. The Organization of American States says both sides have agreed to let the Honduran Congress vote on whether Zelaya can return to office. On Thursday, the head of the coup regime, Roberto Micheletti, insisted he hadn’t agreed to Zelaya’s return.

Roberto Micheletti: “With regard to the most contentious subject in the deal, the possible restitution of Zelaya to the presidency of the republic, my government has decided to support a proposal which allows a vote by the National Congress.”

The deal also reportedly calls for establishing a power-sharing government and recognition of national elections scheduled for next month. The agreement appears to be a major concession by Zelaya, who’s believed to have the support of just one-fifth of the Congress. The deal was reached just days after a team of US officials arrived in Honduras to help broker the talks. Earlier in the day, Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon said Zelaya’s return is central to resolving the crisis.

Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon: “I would say that the question of restitution has been a central question, not just for the United States, but for the entire international community. And OAS resolutions and UN resolutions have clearly indicated that President Zelaya should be returned to office.”

The deal was announced hours after Honduran police fired tear gas on a crowd of over a thousand Zelaya supporters marching near where the talks were held. Several marchers were reportedly hospitalized after suffering police beatings.