The Honduran Supreme Court has ruled that ousted president Manuel Zelaya cannot legally return to office, thus standing by its earlier rulings.

It was the Supreme Court that ordered the army to depose Mr Zelaya in June. However, the ruling is not binding, as Congress must also vote on the matter shortly.

The impending elections in Honduras appear to be taking on a growing international significance. According to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, if the United States recognises the results of next Sunday’s elections it risks souring relations with Latin America.

Many Latin American countries will refuse to recognise the results of the elections, which they do not see as legitimate. Officially Washington has not taken a position, but US President Barack Obama’s administration has hinted that it will respect the result.

In Honduras, the de facto president Roberto Micheletti has stood down according to plan. In the run-up to the polls, the country is without a president. Neither Mr Zelaya nor Mr Micheletti is standing. The most likely candidates for the presidency both come from the right: Profirio Lobo of the National Party and Elvin Santos of the Liberal Party. Despite their bitter dispute, Mr Zelaya and Mr Micheletti also both belong to the Liberal Party.
 

Manuel Zelaya on his return to Honduras from exile - ANP