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Page last updated at 18:43 GMT, Sunday, 27 September 2009 19:43 UK

Brazil rejects Honduran ultimatum

Manuel Zelaya receives communion during Mass at the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa, 27 September 2009

Manuel Zelaya is living in the Brazilian embassy with some of his supporters

Brazil says it will not comply with a demand from interim authorities in Honduras to define the status of ousted leader Manuel Zelaya within 10 days.

Mr Zelaya took refuge in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa after sneaking back into the country on Monday.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the embassy was protected by international law.

"Brazil will not comply with an ultimatum from a government of coup mongers," he said.

Earlier, a spokesman for interim leader Roberto Micheletti said Brazil should "immediately take measures to ensure that Mr Zelaya stops using the protection offered by the diplomatic mission to instigate violence in Honduras".

The interim government said it would take unspecified "additional measures" if Mr Zelaya's status was not defined within 10 days.

'Toxic gas'

Hundreds of soldiers and riot police have surrounded the Brazilian embassy since Mr Zelaya's arrival there.

But Mr Micheletti has said he has no plans to storm the embassy and arrest Mr Zelaya. Mr Zelaya has accused the interim government of violating the rights of those inside the embassy by pumping toxic gas into the building. But the Red Cross spokesman would not confirm or deny the deposed president's allegations.

The UN Security Council has called on Honduras' interim government to "cease harassing" the

Brazilian embassy.

Mr Zelaya was driven out of Honduras at the end of June, after he announced plans to hold a non-binding public consultation to ask people whether they supported moves to change the constitution.

His opponents said the move was unconstitutional and was aimed at removing the current one-term limit on serving as president, so paving the way for Mr Zelaya's possible re-election. He has denied this. A new presidential election is planned for November.