Honduran security forces fired tear gas and water cannons on supporters of deposed president Manuel Zelaya today as protests in the capital turned ugly following his surprise return to the country.
Mr Zelaya, who was ousted in a coup in June, is holed-up in the Brazilian embassy following a clandestine 15-hour journey to Tegucigalpa.
Today police and soldiers in riot gear clashed with protesters who defied a daytime curfew to rally in support of their president.
The embassy was in a state of virtual siege as soldiers surrounded the building and cut off electricity, demanding the Brazilians hand over Mr Zelaya to face trial.
Smoke could be seen billowing above the city as some protesters fought running battles with police, throwing stones and wielding sticks.
"The embassy is surrounded by police and the military... I foresee bigger acts of aggression and violence, that they could be capable of even invading the Brazilian embassy," Mr Zelaya said in a phone interview with Venezuelan broadcaster Telesur.
A Reuters photographer reported that at least two gas canisters had been thrown into the embassy compound.
The United States and the European Union appealed for calm as the army set up roadblocks around the country to prevent Mr Zelaya supporters from flooding to the capital. The airports have also been closed.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking after an emergency meeting in Washington, said the two sides must seek a peaceful resolution.
"It is imperative that dialogue begin, that there be a channel of communication between President Zelaya and the de facto regime in Honduras," she said.
But the interim government of Roberto Micheletti showed no signs of rapprochement as it lashed out at the international community and insisted Mr Zelaya would be arrested for the crimes it claims led to his exile on June 28.
It says he was trying to extend presidential term limits in violation of the constitution, a claim Mr Zelaya denies.
"Let's hope for Dona Hillary's and (mediating Costa Rican president) Mr Arias' sake, after the pleasure they took in President Zelaya's arrival here, that there will not be consequences to regret," Mr Micheletti said.
Brazil said it had played no part in Mr Zelaya's return and had only granted him asylum on arrival at the embassy.
President Inacio Lula da Silva said he had spoken to Mr Zelaya "simply to ask him to take care to give no pretext to the coup leaders to engage in violence", adding that in giving him refuge it had only done what any democratic country would do.
"We can't accept that for political differences people think they have the right to depose a democratically-elected president," Mr Silva said.
Mr Zelaya, for his part, insisted his intentions were entirely peaceful, saying he was only seeking dialogue with the Micheletti regime.
But a government broadcast transmitted across all Honduran channels said he bore responsibility for any disturbances, as sympathetic television stations were shut down by the military in an attempt to prevent information from reaching his supporters.
Mr Zelaya arrived in Tegucigalpa yesterday after a secret overland journey with four companions. Two previous attempts in July saw mass demonstrations in which at least three protesters were killed.
Source:The times
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