Santo Domingo.- After mounting rebuke president Danilo Medina on Thursday announced a reversal for an out-of-court settlement with holders of alleged land titles on Bahia de las Aguilas, Pedernales (southwest), and await the court’s ruling.

Reading a statement in the National Palace, Presidency spokesperson Roberto Rodriguez said Medina rejected the agreement, which he affirmed hadn’t been formalized, on recommendation of the committee named to determine where the plan was feasible, and included the ministers of the Environment, of Tourism and Legal Adviser.

The Head of State also instructed Justice minister Francisco Dominguez and National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso to head the defense of the State's interest in the case.

"No one accepts that after 16 years into this litigation no final rulings have been handed down to resolve it," the statement says.

"Seeking the best possible formula," to rescue the men and women of the Southwest from poverty, a plan was designed that would "unlock" the long court litigation, in which the lands located on the coast of Pedernales province, various settlement mechanisms were examined of which we chose the "most expeditious agreement and which is the definitive settlement," it said.

"We reiterate to the country, the state is the rightful owner of the land in question, and we will continue to explore alternatives that allow us to implement the projects of economic and social development for the entire area," Medina said, adding that the pact sought the advantage of a quick and definitive solution, that would turn the heritage into profitable assets.

Settlement rejected

The agreement, which would’ve split the money received from land sales 55% for the government and 45% for titleholders, was rejected by civil society, media, political parties and lawmakers, who rebuked the negotiations with people who acquired the deeds fraudulently.

Reaction on Twitter the lawyer Lora Laura Acosta, who headed the push to repeal the agreement:  "When citizens mobilize and the government listens, a powerful duo is formed impossible to destroy. The one which must be recognized is Danilo Medina who listened to reason and made the right decision by amending the path. We know that other things will have to be denounced, but we know that there’s a receptive ear on the Mexico with Delgado," she said, in reference to the National Palace.