TEGUCIGALPA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya sees a diminishing hope to return to power after the country's Congress rejected his restitution, leaving his successor with the task to save the Central American country from a long-lasting political crisis.
On Wednesday, the majority of the Honduran Congress voted against the reinstatement of Zelaya, which is the key issue of the political crisis.
Zelaya was ousted in a military coup on June 28 and forced into exile after critics said he tried to extend term limits. Former legislature leader Roberto Micheletti became president following the coup.
In an interview with Chile's radio station Radio Cooperativa, Zelaya stressed Thursday that the Congress could not depose him and regretted it had voted against his restitution.
"The only thing they are calling for is to ratify the coup in Honduras. I am the president elected by the people, and the Congress cannot depose me. It's abuse of power, which is not within the limits of their functions and powers," Zelaya said.
He also stressed the role Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS), can play in the political crisis.
"Secretary Insulza has kept a strong position and for this, he earns my recognition. Till the moment he has been totally consistent with the principles of the Democratic Charter (of the OAS)," Zelaya said.
On Friday, the OAS Permanent Council will hold a meeting in Washington during which Insulza will present a report on Honduras' situation after the crisis.
Most Latin American countries refuse to recognize any new government as the elections were organized by the de facto government and insist on Zelaya's immediate restoration to the presidency.
Zelaya, who is still hiding in the heavily-guarded Brazilian embassy since returning to Honduras in September, keeps urging the international community to reject the de facto government, the Nov. 29 elections and the Congress's decision.
Zelaya also said the situation in Honduras had been very complex because the United States did not show a strong position on the issue.
The United States, which condemned the military coup, said it was disappointed by Honduran lawmakers' refusal on the reinstatement of Zelaya.
"We are disappointed by this decision, since we hoped Congress would approve his restitution," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela told reporters.
Opposition candidate Porfirio Lobo, who claimed victory after Sunday's elections, is now facing the task of saving his country from the political crisis amid international pressure.
According to international negotiators, it is essential to discuss the issue of national reconciliation in Honduras, which would involve a kind of unity government to function as a transitional government.
"Important work remains to re-establish a democratic and constitutional order in Honduras and promote national reconciliation in the wake of the June 28 coup d'etat as the status quo remains unacceptable," Valenzuela said.
However, Lobo, a wealthy rancher from the conservative NationalParty, showed a prudent attitude towards Zelaya's future. He said he was willing to start a national dialogue to solve the political crisis in the country after winning the elections, but has not managed to talk to Zelaya since then.
