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Honduras 'to stop Zelaya plane' | Honduras 'to stop Zelaya plane' |
(30 minutes later) | |
The interim government in Honduras says it will block any attempt by ousted President Manuel Zelaya to return. | The interim government in Honduras says it will block any attempt by ousted President Manuel Zelaya to return. |
Mr Zelaya, who was removed by troops a week ago, had promised to fly home to the Central American nation later on Sunday. | |
But Foreign Minister Enrique Ortez said that any plane carrying Mr Zelaya would not be allowed to land. | But Foreign Minister Enrique Ortez said that any plane carrying Mr Zelaya would not be allowed to land. |
The stand-off comes a day after the top regional body, the OAS, suspended Honduras over the crisis. | The stand-off comes a day after the top regional body, the OAS, suspended Honduras over the crisis. |
Supporters of the ousted leader were said to be gathering in the capital, Tegucigalpa, in order to meet him at the airport. | Supporters of the ousted leader were said to be gathering in the capital, Tegucigalpa, in order to meet him at the airport. |
The BBC's Stephen Gibbs, in the capital, says there are growing fears of violence. The capital's archbishop has warned of a possible "bloodbath". | The BBC's Stephen Gibbs, in the capital, says there are growing fears of violence. The capital's archbishop has warned of a possible "bloodbath". |
"I imagine there'll be blood and I'm ready for it. We're not afraid," Zelaya supporter Marisol Velasquez told AFP. | "I imagine there'll be blood and I'm ready for it. We're not afraid," Zelaya supporter Marisol Velasquez told AFP. |
A heavy troop presence was reported at and around the airport, but the city was said to be calm. | |
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Soldiers arrive at the capital's main airport | Soldiers arrive at the capital's main airport |
'Accompany me' | 'Accompany me' |
The military - backed by Congress and the courts - forced Mr Zelaya out of Honduras on 28 June over his plans to hold a vote on possible constitutional change. | The military - backed by Congress and the courts - forced Mr Zelaya out of Honduras on 28 June over his plans to hold a vote on possible constitutional change. |
But his removal has been widely criticised by the international community. | But his removal has been widely criticised by the international community. |
CRISIS TIMELINE President Zelaya planned non-binding public consultation on constitutional changeCritics say he wanted to stay in power28 June: Troops seize and expel Zelaya; parliamentary speaker becomes interim leader29 June: US President Obama condemns the overthrow as illegal4 July: Organization of American States suspends Honduras in protest at overthrow Profile: Manuel Zelaya Q&A: Crisis in Honduras Send us your comments | CRISIS TIMELINE President Zelaya planned non-binding public consultation on constitutional changeCritics say he wanted to stay in power28 June: Troops seize and expel Zelaya; parliamentary speaker becomes interim leader29 June: US President Obama condemns the overthrow as illegal4 July: Organization of American States suspends Honduras in protest at overthrow Profile: Manuel Zelaya Q&A: Crisis in Honduras Send us your comments |
Mr Zelaya had said he would fly back to the country from Washington, arriving between 1300 and 1400 local time (1900 - 2000GMT). | |
"I ask all farmers, residents, Indians, young people and all workers' groups, businessmen and friends... to accompany me on my return to Honduras," he said in a taped statement sent to media outlets. | "I ask all farmers, residents, Indians, young people and all workers' groups, businessmen and friends... to accompany me on my return to Honduras," he said in a taped statement sent to media outlets. |
He had suggested that he would be accompanied by regional leaders and officials from the Organization of American States. | |
But early on Sunday, Foreign Minister Enrique Ortez said Manuel Zelaya would not be allowed back in, "come what may". | But early on Sunday, Foreign Minister Enrique Ortez said Manuel Zelaya would not be allowed back in, "come what may". |
"The landing of the plane which will bring the ex-president is banned," he said, suggesting the decision was made in part for Mr Zelaya's own safety. | |
Mr Zelaya is not reported to have left Washington. He was planning a news conference later in the day, AP said. | |
'Stay away' | 'Stay away' |
Late on Saturday, the OAS suspended Honduras - the first time the organisation had taken such a measure since Cuba was suspended in 1962, when it allied itself with the USSR. | Late on Saturday, the OAS suspended Honduras - the first time the organisation had taken such a measure since Cuba was suspended in 1962, when it allied itself with the USSR. |
But the new government in Honduras appears to be standing firm. | But the new government in Honduras appears to be standing firm. |
"The OAS is a political organisation, not a court, and it can't judge us," interim President Roberto Micheletti said prior to the suspension. | "The OAS is a political organisation, not a court, and it can't judge us," interim President Roberto Micheletti said prior to the suspension. |
On Saturday supporters of the interim government rallied in the capital waving flags and shouting anti-Zelaya slogans. | On Saturday supporters of the interim government rallied in the capital waving flags and shouting anti-Zelaya slogans. |
Demonstrations so far have been mostly peaceful but correspondents say the country is becoming increasingly polarised. | Demonstrations so far have been mostly peaceful but correspondents say the country is becoming increasingly polarised. |
Tegucigalpa Archbishop Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez has urged Mr Zelaya to stay away to prevent violence. | Tegucigalpa Archbishop Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez has urged Mr Zelaya to stay away to prevent violence. |
"We think that a return to the country at the moment could provoke a bloodbath," he said in a statement broadcast on radio and television. | "We think that a return to the country at the moment could provoke a bloodbath," he said in a statement broadcast on radio and television. |
Mr Zelaya, a wealthy businessman, is a left-wing politician and supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. | Mr Zelaya, a wealthy businessman, is a left-wing politician and supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. |
His opponents, which includes the Supreme Court and a majority in parliament, accuse him of seeking to prolong his rule. | His opponents, which includes the Supreme Court and a majority in parliament, accuse him of seeking to prolong his rule. |
He had wanted to hold a popular vote on convening a constitutional convention - a move that could have removed the current one-term limit for presidents. | He had wanted to hold a popular vote on convening a constitutional convention - a move that could have removed the current one-term limit for presidents. |