Governor defers to Stone Mountain officials on King monument

ATLANTA (AP) Georgia's governor says he won't be involved in a discussion about placing a monument to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at Stone Mountain, which is home to a giant carving of three Confederate leaders.

Republican Gov. Nathan Deal met last week with leaders of several civil rights groups opposed to a proposed Liberty Bell replica atop the mountain. Deal called the tribute to King a ``unique'' idea but said Monday it will take buy-in from various organizations.

Deal says he offered to set up a meeting for leaders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and local chapters of the NAACP with the state authority overseeing the property.

He credited leaders who have spoken in support of a monument, including Congressman John Lewis and former Ambassador Andrew Young, as "thoughtful.''