TEGUCIGALPA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, woke up desolate on Tuesday morning with schools closed, few cars on the streets and no flights landing in the airport after the government imposed a round-the-clock curfew.
People living in the city started to buy food and fuel supplies after the decree was announced on Monday afternoon. They also bought candles for a possible blackout.
Few cars were seen running on the streets of Tegucigalpa on Tuesday, except for some military and aid motorcars. Some journalists were walking alone on the roads.
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A policeman fires a canister of tear gas at supporters of ousted Honduras President Manuel Zelaya, near the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa Sept. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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Banks, supermarkets, gas stations, schools and work places were closed, as people had to stay inside their homes.
But shortly afterwards, the government extended the curfew until 6 a.m. (1200GMT) on Wednesday.
Early on Tuesday morning, the police and soldiers cleared away supporters of ousted president Manuel Zelaya. The supporters had rallied in front of the Brazilian embassy overnight, where Zelaya was staying.
Police spokesman Daniel Molina said 143 people were detained in the process.
Police and soldiers set up a ring of security around the embassy to keep Zelaya's followers some 500 meters away.
"Police have taken control of the surrounding area of the embassy and are going to close roads nearby," police spokesman Orlin Cerrtato announced.
According to local radio station Radio Globo, police cut the embassy's electricity at 4:30 a.m. (1030 GMT).
Buildings around the embassy were attacked, and the windows shattered by stones.
A police car was set on fire after the conflict, and some other cars were damaged by sticks and stones.
Soldiers had set up checkpoints blocking the roads to Tegucigalpa and the mains roads in the city.
Staying in the embassy, Zelaya said that there were snipers in the buildings nearby, but he was not afraid of being detained.
According to Cerrtato, police would not enter the embassy to detain Zelaya because it would violate international law.
A group of prosecutors were outside the Brazilian embassy, waiting for Zelaya to leave the building so as to detain him.
Zelaya was ousted on June 28 and taken by force to Costa Rica. He has since then been seeking to return to power, with support from the international community.
The international community has not recognized the de facto Honduran government. It has expressed support for Zelaya and demanded his restitution as the only way to restore the democratic order in that Central American country.
