MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil rejects “ultimatum” from Honduras de facto government

Lula da Silva said Zelaya is a guest of the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa

Brazilian President Lula da Silva said on Sunday his nation would not comply with a demand from Honduras' de facto government to decide the status of ousted President Manuel Zelaya in 10 days.

Speaking to reporters during a Africa-South America summit in Venezuela, Lula da Silva said international law protects Brazil's embassy, where Zelaya has been staying since returning to Honduras earlier this week. He demanded an apology from Honduras' de facto leader, Roberto Micheletti.

Lula da Silva said that Zelaya is the legitimate president of Honduras and his status is that of “a guest at the Brazilian embassy” in Tegucigalpa.

“The Brazilian government does not obey the ultimatum of the coup leaders nor recognise the interim government that seized power” Lula da Silva told reporters in the island of Margarita.

“Zelaya was ousted in the most shameful way possible”, added the Brazilian leader. “For me the solution is quite simple: the coup ring leaders must leave the presidential palace; Zelaya must be reinstated and then elections held”.

“If the de facto officials call an election very few countries will recognize them”, said Lula da Silva. “Few times in history has there been such an international consensus against an illegitimate government”, he added.

He also warned that if Honduran de facto officials decide to storm the Brazilian embassy “they will be violating international Law”.

Elected president Manuel Zelaya, was ousted following a coup last June but since last Monday he is back in Tegucigalpa, under refuge in the Brazilian embassy.

On Saturday evening the Foreign Affairs ministry from the de facto government “once again requested” the Brazilian government to define “in no more than ten days the status of Mr. Zelaya”. If not, “we will be forced to take additional measures”.

President Lula da Silva also reaffirmed that Mr. Zelaya can stay in the embassy as long as he wishes but also requested that he limit his political activities.