Honduran president-elect, ousted Zelaya to meet in Dominican Republic

HAVANA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya will meet with President-elect Porfirio Lobo next week in the Dominican Republic, according to reports reaching here from the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo Friday.

Dominican President Leonel Fernandez told a press conference that Zelaya and Lobo would begin a "political dialogue" on Monday to resolve the political crisis in Honduras since Zelaya was ousted in June.

Former legislature leader Roberto Micheletti became interim president following the June 28 coup.

The Honduran Congress voted against the reinstatement of Zelaya after Lobo won the presidential vote on Nov. 29, which was boycotted by Zelaya and slammed as illegitimate by Brazil and Venezuela.

But the United States and Mexico viewed the election as a way to move forward.

Zelaya, who was forced to exile in Costa Rica, sneaked back into Honduras in late September and has been taking refuge in the Brazilian embassy.

The ousted Honduran president refused to seek political asylum in Mexico Wednesday night, saying that would end his chances of being restored to power until his term ends on Jan. 27.