The US government is preparing to transfer legal custody of Elian Gonzalez from his Miami relatives to his father, who is in Washington, but there could still be a delay before the boy is actually handed over.

Juan Miguel Gonzalez said yesterday after a meeting with the Attorney General, Ms Janet Reno, that he was hoping "to have my child soon." Ms Reno said she wanted to transfer custody of the child to his father, possibly as early as Wednesday next.

Mr Gonzalez, who was accompanied from Havana by his wife and baby son, said outside the Department of Justice in Washington: "I have been able to explain the suffering that I have been going through and the suffering my son Elian has been going through for the last months." His US lawyer, Mr Greg Craig, said that "it was a very successful meeting" and Mr Gonzalez received "assurances that satisfied him" when he sought help in getting Elian back "instantly or as soon as possible" from the Miami relatives.

The Department of Justice is preparing to send a letter to the Miami-based relatives with whom Elian has been staying, informing them that legal custody of the boy was being transferred to his father. Next week they will be ordered to hand over the boy to his father, Ms Reno said yesterday.

In the quiet Washington suburb where Mr Gonzalez and his family are staying in the house of the head of the Cuban Interests Section, there have been small groups protesting against sending Elian back to Cuba.

It is believed that Elian's father has given assurances that he will not leave the US until a court rules on an appeal by the Miami relatives against a decision that Elian's case cannot be dealt with in a family court. This ruling is expected some time next month, so the Elian saga could be prolonged.