Honduras' president-elect urges de facto leader to resign

Honduran President-elect Porfirio Lobo Sosa said on Monday that the only solution for the international community to open its door for Honduras is the resignation of de facto leader Roberto Micheletti.

"It (Micheletti's resignation) is the best for Honduras and what will open us the doors at international level," Lobo told reporters.

"It is an issue that must be discussed, all of us can understand each other, this is not a suicide for anybody, it is to do what is the best for the country, and the most healthy when there is a conflict without winners and losers," Lobo told local radio Radio Cadena Voces.

Lobo also said that he is ready to meet with ousted President Manuel Zelaya at any place, and would even visit the latter at the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa, as long as there are security guarantees.

On Thursday, Lobo had planed to meet with Zelaya in the Dominican Republic, but it was not possible because the de facto government denied Zelaya a safe exit.

Lobo also urged the fulfillment of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Agreement to solve the crisis in Honduras and called on Zelaya and Micheletti to "come off" their positions.

After the coup of June 28 against Zelaya, the National Congress appointed Micheletti as president of the country. However, the international community rejected both moves and demanded the immediate restitution of Zelaya.

Honduras held a general election on Nov. 29, and Lobo turned out to be the winner. However, the international community has largely refused to recognize the election outcomes, as Zelaya has not been restored in power.

Many countries and international organizations have decided to freeze their economic aid for Honduras till the Constitutional order is restored in the country.

Source: Xinhua