Lima - Peru yesterday accepted the resignation of Mr Vladimiro Montesinos, the former secret police chief seeking asylum in Panama after a scandal that forced President Alberto Fujimori to announce new elections.
However, far from placating critics who have demanded that Mr Montesinas be tried, a resolution signed by Mr Fujimori thanked Mr Montesinos for his services.
Opposition leaders and human rights organisations were outraged over the praise heaped upon Mr Montesinos for his "significant" role in quelling leftist guerrilla violence, fighting drug trafficking and securing peace with Ecuador.
Mr Montesinos fled to Panama on Saturday night after diplomatic pressure from the OAS, the US and regional leaders on Panama to take him in.
Panama, which refused an initial asylum request from Peru, has agreed to reconsider Mr Montesinos' fate.