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Ousted Honduran pres. backs 'insurrection'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-15 11:51

Ousted Honduras President Manuel Zelaya speaks to the media during a news conference at the Honduras embassy in Managua beside his Foreign Minister Patricia Rodas July 13, 2009. [Xinhua]

MEXICO CITY: Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya on Tuesday said Hondurans "have the right to insurrection" against the interim government that toppled him by a military coup.

"Nobody owes allegiance to a usurper government that took power by arms, and the people have the right to insurrection," Zelaya said at a joint news conference with Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom in Guatemala City.

Zelaya said the Honduran people have the right to demonstrate against the interim government of Roberto Micheletti.

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On the same day, both the United States and the mediator, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, urged the rival sides in Honduras to give an opportunity to dialogue.

Zelaya, who was forced into exile after the military coup, on Monday gave a one-week ultimatum to the interim government to restore his presidential power.