Ousted President Manuel Zelaya pauses during news conference in Managua, 17 Jul 2009Representatives of the ousted and interim governments of Honduras arescheduled to hold talks Saturday in an attempt to resolve theirpolitical crisis peacefully.

But both sides have shown littlewillingness to compromise. Toppled President Manuel Zelaya said Fridayhe plans to return to his country and his post with or without anagreement from the U.S.-backed talks being held in Costa Rica.

Mr.Zelaya set midnight Saturday as the deadline for negotiators to reach asolution that would restore him to power. He said any other resultwould be a failure, and he indicated he would not accept mediators'proposal for a power-sharing agreement.

The ousted leader didnot say when or how he would return to Honduras. The interimgovernment has threatened to arrest him if he does.

Mr. Zelayawas toppled June 28 by the military and opponents who say he was tryingto illegally change the constitution to extend his time in office.

Both Mr. Zelaya and interim president Roberto Micheletti claim to be the legitimate leader of Honduras.

Earlierthis week, the ousted leader said Hondurans "have the right toinsurrection" in order to force the caretaker government to return himto power.

An attempt by Mr. Zelaya to land in Honduras earlierthis month was blocked by the military and led to clashes that left atleast one person dead.

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, aNobel Peace Prize winner, is hosting the talks with the rival sides ofthe political standoff. On Friday, he said he believed both sides weresoftening their positions.


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