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Deadline for Honduras over leader Deadline for Honduras over leader
(about 5 hours later)
The Organization of American States (OAS) has given the interim Honduran government three days to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya to power. The Organization of American States (OAS) has given the current leaders of Honduras three days to restore exiled President Manuel Zelaya to power.
OAS head Jose Miguel Insulza said if Honduras failed to comply the regional grouping would vote on suspending it. If Honduras fails to comply, it could face being suspended from the group.
Mr Zelaya's expulsion by the army on Sunday has been widely criticised abroad, and he has vowed to return. The army ousted Mr Zelaya on Sunday over his plans for constitutional reform, which his critics said were aimed at prolonging his presidency.
But the interim leader says that if Mr Zelaya returns, he will be arrested on charges of violating the constitution. Mr Zelaya denies seeking to extend his term and has vowed to return, but he has been warned he faces arrest.
He will also be charged with having links with organised crime and drug-traffickers. Roberto Micheletti, the Speaker of Congress who was sworn in as interim president, said Mr Zelaya would face charges of violating the constitution, and having links with organised crime and drug-traffickers.
We thought we were in an era when military coups were no longer possible in this hemisphere Jose Miguel InsulzaWe thought we were in an era when military coups were no longer possible in this hemisphere Jose Miguel Insulza
Mr Zelaya has said he will return on Thursday, and is expected to be accompanied by Mr Insulza and the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador. After an emergency meeting of the OAS, the head of the regional grouping Jose Miguel Insulza condemned what he described as "an old-fashioned coup" in Honduras.
However he has pledged not to seek another term in office if reinstated. Steps he had taken to change the constitution are seen as triggering his removal.
The United Nations passed a resolution on Tuesday calling "firmly and categorically on all states to recognise no government other than that" of Mr Zelaya.
But thousands of people have been demonstrating in the capital Tegucigalpa against the return of the ousted leader, whose popularity has slumped in opinion polls to around 30% in recent months.
The BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Tegucigalpa says they are very determined to prevent him being reinstated and appear to outnumber his supporters, at least in the capital.
On Monday, groups of his supporters defied a curfew, clashing with police in the city centre.
Impressive support
Mr Insulza condemned what he described as "an old-fashioned coup" in Honduras.
"We need to show clearly that military coups will not be accepted," he said."We need to show clearly that military coups will not be accepted," he said.
"We thought we were in an era when military coups were no longer possible in this hemisphere."We thought we were in an era when military coups were no longer possible in this hemisphere.
"If within 72 hours the reinstatement doesn't happen, the assembly ... will meet again to suspend Honduras.""If within 72 hours the reinstatement doesn't happen, the assembly ... will meet again to suspend Honduras."
Mr Zelaya, 57, was ousted amid stiff opposition to his plans to amend the constitution from the courts, military, Congress and even some members of his own party. Four years
He had wanted to hold a non-binding referendum on the proposal, which critics say could have paved the way for Mr Zelaya - elected in 2006 and restricted to only one term - to run for re-election. Mr Zelaya had said he would return home on Thursday, accompanied by Mr Insulza and the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador.
Polls had been due to open on Sunday, but instead troops stormed the presidential palace at dawn, bundled the president to an airbase and flew him to Costa Rica. There have been demonstrations both for and against Mr Zelaya
Our correspondent says he has garnered impressive support since his exile, with even US President Barack Obama and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez in rare agreement in declaring that his expulsion was illegal. However, it is not clear if his plans will be delayed until the weekend given the OAS deadline.
Mr Zelaya, 57, was ousted amid stiff opposition to his proposals to amend the constitution from the courts, military, Congress and even some members of his own party.
He had wanted to hold a non-binding referendum on constitutional change.
His critics say this could have paved the way for the president - elected in 2006 and restricted to only one term - to run for re-election. The Supreme Court and Congress deemed the ballot illegal.
The vote had been set for Sunday, but instead troops stormed the presidential palace at dawn, bundled the president to an airbase and flew him to Costa Rica.
Have Your Say Manuel Zelaya shouldn't come back, without him we have a much brighter future awaiting! Edwin, Honduras Send us your comments
Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Mr Zelaya said he was not aiming to stay in office but was determined to complete his term which ends in January 2010.
"I am not going to convene a constitutional assembly, and if I was offered the possibility of remaining in power, I would not do it. I am going to fulfil my four years, I'm going to fight to have the four years respected," he said.
Falling popularity
The UN passed a resolution on Tuesday calling "firmly and categorically on all states to recognise no government other than that" of Mr Zelaya.
The president's expulsion has been widely condemned by leaders ranging from US President Barack Obama to Mr Zelaya's regional allies, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Among the diplomatic moves, Spain is recalling its ambassador.
But thousands of people have been demonstrating in the capital, Tegucigalpa, against the return of the ousted leader, whose popularity has slumped in opinion polls to around 30% in recent months.
The BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Tegucigalpa says they are very determined to prevent him being reinstated and appear to outnumber his supporters, at least in the capital.
On Monday, groups of his supporters defied a curfew, clashing with police in the city centre.