Honduras' interim Pres. Roberto Micheletti speaks at a press conference in Tegucigalpa, 08 Jul 2009Honduras' interim President Roberto Micheletti has arrived in Costa Rica for mediation talks with deposed President Manuel Zelaya

Mr. Micheletti told reporters Thursday in San Jose that he is committed to finding a peaceful and constitutional solution to the political crisis.

The military ousted and expelled Mr. Zelaya late last month.

Ahead of the talks, both sides appeared to be unwilling to compromise. Mr. Zelaya said after arriving in San Jose Wednesday that he expects leaders of the de facto government to announce within a day that they are quitting power in order to reinstate him.

Mr. Micheletti, meanwhile, has said he is coming to talk - and not to negotiate - and he will not consider the ousted president's return to power.

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, a widely respected diplomat, will lead the mediation talks at his home in San Jose Thursday.

Mr. Zelaya was ousted in a military-led coup on June 28 and the Honduran Congress named Mr. Micheletti as interim president.

The caretaker government has accused Mr. Zelaya of illegally trying to change the constitution in order to extend his term.

Supporters from both sides are expected to continue demonstrations in Honduras in the coming days.

The United States has opposed the ouster and refused to recognize the caretaker government, despite the interim president's assertion that Mr. Zelaya was legally removed.


Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.