Mali junta pledges to cede power

Mali's junta leader is promising to reinstate the constitution just hours before a deadline set by West African neighbors to start handing over power.

Amadou Sanogo, who led a military coup March 22, also pledged to re-establish all state institutions before organizing a transfer of power back to civilians through democratic elections.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) MALIAN JUNTA LEADER, CAPTAIN AMADOU SANOGO, SAYING:

"Taking into account the multidimensional crisis situation our country is going through, and in order to allow a transition, in order to preserve national unity, we promise to engage in consultations - under the umbrella of mediators - with all civil actors of our country under the framework of a national convention to establish transitional institutions, with a view to organizing peaceful, free, open and democratic elections, in which we will not take part."

His pledge comes after the 15-state ECOWAS group told the junta to start handing over power by midnight Sunday or face crippling sanctions.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters