Honduras - political crisis

Honduras deal crumbles as Micheletti excludes Zelaya

Article published on the 2009-11-06 Latest update 2009-11-06 09:07 TU

Supporters of ousted President Manuel Zelaya gathered outside the National Congress
(Photo: Reuters/Henry Romero)

Hopes of a power-sharing deal in Honduras faded after interim leader Roberto Micheletti announced a new government without the participation of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

The country has been in crisis since Zelaya, who is holed up in the Brazilian Embassy in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa, was removed from power in June. Zelaya said the deal had failed.

"Practically speaking, we have decided not to continue with this theatre of Mr Micheletti," said Zelaya, speaking on Radio Globo.

"The international community will have to see what measures" to take after the agreement faltered, he added.

Micheletti announced his government just ten minutes before the deadline - set at 0600 UT on Friday - for Zelaya to be restored to power in accordance with an agreement brokered last week by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias.

"I am proud to announce tonight that we have completed the formation of the cabinet of unity and reconciliation within the limit laid down in the agreement," Micheletti said in his radio and television statement.

Micheletti justified the exclusion of Zelaya allies by blaming the president.

"It represents a wide spectrum despite the fact that Mr Zelaya did not send a list of representatives," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

Zelaya had warned that he would withdraw from the deal unless Congress held a vote on his restoration to power. But the interim authorities ignored the call.

"The agreement failed because of Micheletti...and because the National Congress did not convene," said Zelaya aide Jose Arturio Reina.