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Honduras 'to stop Zelaya plane' | Honduras 'to stop Zelaya plane' |
(about 1 hour 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. |
Foreign Minister Enrique Ortez said that any plane carrying Mr Zelaya would not be allowed to land. | |
But Mr Zelaya, removed by troops a week ago, says he still intends to return to the Central American nation later on Sunday to reclaim his post. | |
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. | 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 announced earlier in the week that he would return to Honduras on Sunday. | |
But 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 early on Sunday, suggesting the decision was made in part for Mr Zelaya's own safety. | |
Speaking in Washington, Mr Zelaya said he was determined to return. He is to be accompanied by UN General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann. | |
Regional leaders and diplomats will monitor his return from El Salvador. | |
'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. |