Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the country's de facto government yesterday edged toward possible talks to end a standoff triggered after the toppled leftist took refuge in the Brazilian embassy.
Mr Zelaya was overthrown and exiled by troops after a coup in June, but on Monday he sneaked back into the country, triggering a tense face-off with the de facto government that has promised to arrest him in Central America's worst crisis in years.
Hundreds of soldiers and riot police carrying automatic weapons have surrounded the Brazilian embassy, where Mr Zelaya is taking shelter with his family and about 40 supporters despite food and water shortages in the building.
The United Nations Security Council will meet today to discuss the political crisis in Honduras and Mr Zelaya's future.
Mr Zelaya, who upset conservative elites by allying himself with Socialist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, said he had met with a representative from the de facto government though initial talks made little progress.
The meeting could signal fledging talks, but both sides have for weeks stuck by key demands: the ousted president says he must finish his time in office, while the de facto government insists on arresting Mr Zelaya and holding elections in November.
"This is the first approach and we hope it advances. We are looking for a solution as soon as possible," Mr Zelaya told reporters.
De facto President Roberto Micheletti yesterday said he was open to talks, but his administration is resisting international pressure to reinstate Mr Zelaya as a way to end the political turmoil.
"I am willing to establish dialogue wherever and whenever to try to find a solution," Mr Micheletti said.
Reuters