WRAPUP 5-Honduras rulers defy world pressure to restore Zelaya

Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:25pm BST
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(For a TAKE A LOOK on Honduras, click on [nN28343997])

* Honduras interim govt defies OAS, rejects Zelaya return

* OAS delivers 72-hour ultimatum

* IADB suspends loans to Honduras (Adds IADB aid, US aid, Zelaya urges protests)

By Patrick Markey

TEGUCIGALPA, July 1 (Reuters) - The Honduran interim government defied international pressure on Wednesday and vowed there was "no chance at all" of ousted President Manuel Zelaya returning to office.

World leaders from U.S. President Barack Obama to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have told the new rulers of the Central American country to restore Zelaya, a leftist who was toppled by the army on Sunday and sent into exile after a dispute over presidential term limits.

The Organization of American States gave Honduras an ultimatum early on Wednesday to allow Zelaya back into office by this weekend or face suspension.

But the interim government's response indicated there was little immediate hope of a negotiated solution to the crisis in Honduras, an impoverished coffee and textile producer.  Continued...

 
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