Honduras coup leader ready to quit

Honduran interim President Roberto Micheletti sets conditions for his departure following weeks of political turmoil in the Central American state.

Micheletti said he would only step down so long as the deposed president Manuel Zelaya refrains from reclaiming power.

Micheletti expressed willingness to leave "at some point that decision is needed to bring peace and tranquility to the country, but without the return, and I stress this, of former President Zelaya."

He went on to accuse ’unspecified’ rioters of scheming to stage an armed uprising in the capital Tegucigalpa in a concerted attempt to topple the interim government.

His comments came after the ousted Zelaya had urged Hondurans to stand up to Micheletti’s administration in a national insurrection.

The interim government leader, however, downplayed the opposition power for rebellion and said, "I don’t think we will get to that point. Our country is peaceful. I don’t believe Hondurans will pick up arms to kill other Hondurans."

Nonetheless, he alleged that armed groups were plotting for a revolt. "This morning we were informed that they were handing out some guns,” he said.

The coup government has imposed new martial laws in the capital following Micheletti’s proclamation and said in a television statement that the overnight curfew is placed owing to the ’continuing and open threats by groups looking to provoke disturbances and disorder’.

There has been no immediate response from the exiled Zelaya, who is accused of advancing far-left socialist agenda.

Honduras has been the scene of clashing party politics in the aftermath of the June 28 coup that overthrew Zelaya, who sought disputed constitutional overhaul in order to rerun for the 2010 presidential election.