Sunday's presidential election in Honduras has been won by Porfirio Lobo of the conservative National Party with 56 percent. His main rival, Elvin Santos of the centre-left Liberal Party gained 38 percent.

The poll passed off for the most part peacefully. Only in the second city of San Pedro were there confrontations between riot police and supporters of ousted President Manuel Zelaya. He had called on voters to boycott the election.

The poll was designed to end the months of political crisis in Honduras which followed the deposing and exile of left-wing President Zelaya at the end of June. After the coup, the conservative speaker of the Senate, Roberto Micheletti, took over power. Neither of them contested Sunday's election.

The presidential election has led to international division. Most Latin American countries view Mr Zelaya as legitimate president and describe the poll as illegal. However, the United States has said it will recognise the election's winner as the new president.

photo: Porfirio Lobo campaigning (EPA/ANP)