TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Representatives of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, forced out in a midnight coup, say the de facto government refuses to return him to office.
They say Roberto Micheletti, who has functioned as president since June, and his lieutenants are trying to drag out negotiations, The Guardian reported. A presidential election is set for Nov. 29.
The crisis has split both Honduras and other Central and South American countries. Zelaya's ties to President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela led to his ouster, and the former president took refuge in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa after returning quietly to Honduras last month.
Zelaya set a deadline Thursday for resolving the crisis. The Micheletti camp said it would present another plan.
Micheletti said Zelaya could not be returned to the presidency without the approval of the country's Supreme Court, which allowed him to be removed.
