The Assembly President “clearly and strongly condemns the attempted coup d’etat that is currently unfolding against the democratically elected Government of President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

He “expresses his deep concern and hopes that the rule of law is respected. He also appeals to the different parties to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue,” the spokesperson added.

Media reports say that President Zelaya vowed on Thursday to ignore a Supreme Court ruling ordering him to reinstate the military chief he fired, escalating tensions ahead of a referendum scheduled for Sunday on changing the country’s constitution.

Mr. D’Escoto told a news conference in New York that he thought the “ugly days” of military coups and the interruption of democratic processes were over.

“We hope that it will be resolved soon for the good of the people of Honduras and of the whole region,” he stated.

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