U.N. chief urges OAS to take lead role in Honduras crisis

GENEVA (Reuters) - United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon called Monday for the Organisation of American States (OAS) to play a leadership role in finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Honduras which would restore the constitutional order.

Honduras blocked ousted President Manuel Zelaya's attempted return from exile Sunday.

"Any unconstitutional change of power is not acceptable," Ban told a news conference in Geneva.

"I hope that the OAS at this time will take the necessary leadership role to find a peaceful solution to this issue, whereby constitutional order can be restored," he said.

Zelaya tried to fly back from Washington and land in Tegucigalpa, but clashes between his supporters and troops at the airport forced him to abort the plan one week after troops seized him and bundled him out of the country.

Ban said that all citizens should be allowed to express their views freely without being subjected to threats or physical force.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Jason Neely)