TEGUCIGALPA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The interim Honduran government on Friday decided to lift the curfew imposed in the country since the June 28 coup, except in areas around Honduras' border with Nicaragua.

    Spokesman of the interim government Rene Zepeda said in a TV and radio message that the curfew will continue in El Paraiso in the east, Concepcion de Maria, El Triunfo and Guasaule in the south, from 6 p.m. (0000 GMT) to 6 a.m. (1200 GMT).

    The curfew had been set from 9 p.m. (0300 GMT) to 6 a.m. (1200 GMT) in the entire country. It was gradually cut to 1 a.m. (0700 GMT) to 4:30 a.m. (1030 GMT) in most parts of the country and from 6 p.m. (0000 GMT) to 6 a.m. (1200 GMT) on its border with Nicaragua to guard against ousted President Manuel Zelaya's return.

    Honduras has plunged into a political crisis when Zelaya was forced into exile in a coup on June 28.

    Zelaya had angered the army, the legislative and judiciary by insisting on a constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek re-election.

    His demand for returning to Honduras and for reinstatement has been rejected by the post-coup interim government ever since.