WRAPUP 4-Pro-Zelaya protests grip Honduras ahead of talks

Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:14am BST
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(For a TAKE A LOOK on Honduras, click on [ID:nN28343997])

* Roadblocks by Zelaya supporters shut highways

* Pro-Zelaya protesters say will be out again on Friday

* Interim gov't says increasing security, reimposes curfew

* Saturday talks will seek to break post-coup impasse (Adds capital's roadblocks lifted, coffee, quotes)

By Simon Gardner and Gustavo Palencia

TEGUCIGALPA, July 16 (Reuters) - Supporters of Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya shut down commercial highways on Thursday in protests in the capital and other places, demanding his reinstatement ahead of weekend mediation talks.

The demonstrations by hundreds of Zelaya followers took place as Costa Rican President Oscar Arias prepared to host talks on Saturday with the rival sides in the political crisis triggered by the June 28 coup that toppled Zelaya.

Watched by armed soldiers and riot police, the protesters shut off the northern and southern entrances to the hill-ringed capital Tegucigalpa for several hours, backing up trucks and other vehicles for miles (kilometres) in both directions.  Continued...

 
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