BC-LT--Honduras-Coup, 10th Ld,0143

2009-07-05 21:48:02 -

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - The ousted Honduran president is flying home despite a military order to keep his plane from landing.
Manuel Zelaya left Washington's Dulles Airport on a small Venezuelan jet, hoping to land in the Honduran capital, where he faces an arrest warrant from the government that ousted him. Along with him are several ambassadors and the United Nations General Assembly president.
Other planes were leaving Washington separately to avoid a direct confrontation, trailing Zelaya to see what happens in the skies over Honduras before deciding where to land. They include several Latin American presidents flying with the secretary-general of the Organization of American States. If they can't land in Tegucigalpa, they'll probably go to El Salvador.
Thousands of protesters descended Honduras' main airport ahead of Sunday's showdown. Police helicopters hover overhead, and soldiers are standing guard.