Honduran interim gov't extends curfew hours around border to guard against Zelaya's return

TEGUCIGALPA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Honduras' interim government announced that from Thursday on, curfew hours will be extended in the country's border areas, in response to claims by ousted President Manuel Zelaya to return home.

The curfew lasts from 6:00 p.m. (2400 GMT) to 6:00 a.m. (1200 GMT) in border areas, and 12:00 p.m. (0600 GMT) to 4:30 a.m. (1030 GMT) in the rest of the country.

The interim government announced the decision through national television, saying that "the curfew is established to guarantee the peace, and protect Honduran people and their property," and "will remain as long as the situation requires it."

The interim government beefed up guarding forces in the Honduran border amid possible arrival of Zelaya between Friday or Saturday.

Zelaya left the Honduran embassy in Nicaraguan capital Managua and set off for border city Esteli Thursday afternoon in an attempt to return home after almost a month of exile.

Zelaya announced after a third round of mediation talks in Costa Rica failed on Wednesday that he planned to cross the Nicaragua-Honduras frontier on Friday.

Elizabeth Sierra, spokeswoman from Honduran embassy in Managua, said Zelaya would decide where to enter Honduran territory once he arrives in Esteli.

Other sources with Honduran embassy mentioned possibilities of Zelaya's entry via Honduran borders with neighboring countries such as Guatemala and El Salvador, besides Nicaragua.

Zelaya was ousted and forced into exile in a coup on June 28, after he angered the army, the legislative and judiciary by insisting on a constitution amendment that would allow him to seek re-election. His demand for reinstatement has been rejected by the post-coup interim government ever since.

MANAGUA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya left Honduran embassy in Nicaraguan capital Managua and set off for border city Esteli Thursday afternoon in an attempt to return home after almost month-long exile.

Sources with the Honduran embassy told Xinhua Zelaya left the diplomatic base at around 4:15 p.m. local time (2215 GMT) in a vehicle caravan escorted by international press. Full story

MANAGUA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- A vehicle caravan of reporters, cameramen and photographers from the international press will accompany ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya to return to Honduras on Thursday.

Zelaya planned to set off at around 3 p.m. local time (2100 GMT) from Managua, a source with Honduran embassy in Nicaragua told Xinhua.