Honduran businessmen offer to buy weapons for interim gov't

TEGUCIGALPA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Honduran businessmen had offered to help the interim government bolster the police force, the head of Honduras' National Association of Industrials (ANDI) said on Thursday.

"The private sector has offered its support to purchase equipment that the police needs, like weapons, uniforms," Adolfo Facusse said.

He said the decision was based on the possibility that ousted President Manuel Zelaya's followers might take up arms as part of their opposition to the de facto government.

Zelaya's supporters also believe the complicated situation in Honduras might lead to an armed battle.

The Pro-Zelaya People's Resistance movement warned this possibility would happen once the Honduran people realize what the coup has created is a dictatorship or interference of the United States.

Zelaya, who was ousted on June 28, has declared he will return to Honduras this week.