The Honduran Congress has voted not to allow the reinstatement of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, a move that closes the door on his return to power after he was toppled in a June coup.
Congress was deciding Mr Zelaya's fate as part of a US-brokered deal between the deposed leftist and the country's de facto leaders who took power after the coup.
The agreement left it up to Congress to decide if Mr Zelaya could return to the presidency until the end of his term in January.
The United States was hoping for Mr Zelaya's reinstatement but Honduran lawmakers resisted international pressure, with 111 of the 125 members in session voting against Mr Zelaya's return.
Hundreds of the toppled president's supporters protested outside the chamber.
Foreign lenders cut aid to the coffee and textile exporting country to punish the coup leaders.
Opposition candidate Porfirio Lobo won a presidential election on Sunday, which was scheduled before the coup. The vote could allow Honduras to move on from the five-month crisis and focus on a new leader.
The United States quickly recognized the election results but said the vote was only one step toward restoring democracy.
The stance has split the United States from Latin American powers like Brazil and Argentina that say it is impossible to recognize an election organized by a de facto government.
Reuters