BBC News – Honduras ex-leader Manuel Zelaya heads into exile.
Honduras ex-leader Manuel Zelaya heads into exile
President Lobo promised Mr Zelaya safe passage
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Deposed Honduran leader Manuel Zelaya has flown into exile, ending seven months of turmoil in the country.
Hundreds of supporters, many waving flags, saw him off at the airport, live pictures from Telesur TV showed.
His departure marks the end of efforts to return to office after soldiers forced him into exile at gunpoint on 28 June over a constitutional dispute.
Earlier, the newly-elected Honduran President, Porfirio Lobo, promised him safe passage to the Dominican Republic.
Under a deal struck by the two men, Mr Zelaya agreed to fly to exile as a way to avoid prosecution in Honduras on charges he violated the constitution while in office.
Mr Lobo said the measure – first proposed months ago in failed mediation talks in Costa Rica – was needed as part of a process of reconciliation.
Fond farewell
Mr Zelaya boarded a plane, reported to be the official jet of Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez, hours after Mr Lobo was sworn in as president.
He was taken to the airport in a convoy of around 15 vehicles, accompanied by the two leaders.
“See you later Papa Mel. God bless you,” read a placard carried by one supporter, using Mr Zelaya’s nickname.
He has spent the last four months sheltering in the Brazilian embassy, after returning in secret in September.
His June ousting provoked international condemnation but diplomatic attempts to persuade the interim government to allow Mr Zelaya to return to office proved futile.
With opinion divided in Honduras and internationally, several nations have refused to recognise the legitimacy of the November election, in which Mr Lobo defeated Mr Zelaya.
Mr Lobo’s first act upon taking office was to sign a decree giving amnesty to the soldiers, politicians and judges who brought about the June ousting.
Mr Zelaya was removed amid a dispute over his plans to hold a vote on whether a constituent assembly should be set up to look at rewriting the constitution.
His critics said the vote, which was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, aimed to remove the current one-term limit on serving as president and pave the way for his possible re-election.
Mr Zelaya repeatedly said he had no interest in staying in power but wanted to rewrite an outdated constitution to guarantee fairer representation for all Hondurans.
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