Micheletti: I'm willing to step down

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduras' interim President Roberto Micheletti announced Wednesday that he is willing to vacate the presidency, if it will help the country's worsening political conditions.

As earlier reported by Yahoo! News, Micheletti spoke of a possible step-down as a means of ending the chaos that struck Honduras within the last three weeks. However, Micheletti said that he will resign only if it would be guaranteed that ousted President Manuel Zelaya won't assume the presidency. Zelaya, who was put into exile and was thrown out in the presidential picture by a military-backed coup, initiated a constitutional referendum which angered many Hondurans. Moreover, the move was said to be a part of Zelaya's grand plan of staying in power even after his term expires. The interim government on the other hand received various criticisms and was isolated by nations such as the United States, France, Spain, Italy, Chile and Colombia. Meanwhile, labor leader Israel Salinas announced an anti-Micheletti campaign that will highlight a mass walk-out of laborers in government-owned companies. Zelaya is yet to comment on the said statement. Furthermore, the talks between the two parties will resume Saturday. As Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who is the winner of the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in ending Central America's wars, will try to resolve the matter.