Lawyers announce agreement on custody of Michael Jackson's children

LOS ANGELES, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Late pop star Michael Jackson's mother Katharine would retain custody of his three children under an agreement announced Thursday between the Jackson family and the singer's ex-wife.

Under the deal, which will be presented to a Los Angeles judge for approval on Monday, Debbie Rowe would have visitation rights with the two children she had with Jackson, 12-year-old Prince Michael and 11-year-old Paris.

But Jackson's ex-wife will not have visitation rights with Jackson's youngest child, 7-year-old Prince Michael II, who was born through an unidentified surrogate mother.

No money exchanged hands as part of the agreement, but Rowe will continue to receive the spousal support payments she had earlier agreed to with Jackson, according to a joint statement issued by lawyers representing the Jackson family and Rowe.

"The parties engaged in a dignified discussion that resulted in a dignified outcome," said Eric George, Rowe's lawyer. "The sole consideration between the parties was the best interests of the children."

Rowe, 50, had been contemplating challenging the ruling of the judge who granted Katharine Jackson custody of Jackson's children.

Jackson said in a 2002 will that he wanted his mother to raise his children after his death, and that they should go to music legend Diana Ross, 65, if his mother became unable to carry out his wishes.

Jackson's children has been staying with Katharine Jackson at her Los Angeles home since his death on June 25.

The results of toxicology tests from the official autopsy on Jackson's body had been expected to be released this week, but the Los Angeles County coroner's office now says they will not be made public before next week at the earliest.

The autopsy report is widely expected to show that Jackson had been given propofol, a strong sedative known by the brand name Diprivan, which is usually used in a hospital setting for general anaesthesia.