Deal reached to end Lesotho military standoff

South Africa's deputy president brokered a deal to end a destabilising post-coup standoff in Lesotho today, with the head of the police and rival military commanders agreeing to step down.
Southern African mediators led by Cyril Ramaphosa said they had convinced renegade Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, who is accused of being behind an August 30 attempted coup, to take a leave of absence, along with two other top security officials.
Kamoli, rival military commander Maaparankoe Mahao and Lesotho police commissioner Khothatso Tsooana will hand over authority to their deputy commanders for an unspecified time.
Kamoli is suspected of leading the early morning raid on Prime Minister Tom Thabane's residence and the national police headquarters, which killed one police officer and injured nine.

He has since refused an order to relinquish command and has armed a small group of loyal fighters, prompting questions about stability in the small landlocked nation.
"What's important here is that they have agreed to do all of this, to set aside their own personal interests," said Ramaphosa as he announced the agreement.

"What has surged forward are the interests of the nation," he added. "They've been promised nothing but a wonderful leave of absence and wonderful work-visits."
Ramaphosa had earlier held secret talks with the group, despite Kamoli being investigated by Lesotho police for two crimes linked to the August 30 assault: high treason and murder.

A defence official told AFP today that a partial amnesty was discussed in the hope of ending the crisis.
Thato Mohasoa, principal secretary for the Lesotho defence ministry, said the government was "amenable to making reasonable compromises" to end the logjam.
He also said authorities would be willing to provide the suspected coup leader his full retirement package.
But more sensitive was the amnesty -- especially for the crime of murder.