Protesters gathered near the embassy, despite the government's efforts to keep them away [AFP]

Police fired tear gas at the demonstrations and chased them away from the embassy in the Honduran capital on Tuesday, a day after Zelaya sneaked back into the country.

Some reports said protesters threw stones at police, but officials reported no arrests and there was no immediate reports of injuries.

Zelaya remained inside the embassy and accused police of preparing an attack.

"The embassy is surrounded by police and the military ... I foresee bigger acts of aggression and violence, that they could be capable of even invading the Brazilian embassy," Zelaya said in an interview with Venezuelan broadcaster Telesur.

Radio Globo in Honduras later reported that a team of "hooded men" had stormed the house next to the Brazilian embassy, but there was in independent confirmation.

Military coup

Soldiers toppled Zelaya at gunpoint and sent him into exile in his pyjamas in a coup on June 28, sparked by his attempts to call a constitutional referendum on presidential term limits.

Roberto Micheletti, Honduras' de facto leader, has repeatedly refused to allow Zelaya to return, insisting he would be arrested if he returned.

A statement from Brazil's foreign ministry said that the de facto government had cut water, electricity and phone lines to the Brazilian embassy where Zelaya had taken refuge.

Brazil currently has no ambassador in Honduras and the embassy is headed by Francisco Caruda Resende, Brazil's business attache, the statement said.

Micheletti said he would not reopen negotiations and insisted that Brazil hand over Zelaya to face charges for corruption and violating the constitution.

"I insist that the courts are waiting so he can present himself there and pay for the crimes he committed," Micheletti said.

International sanctions

Honduras's government ordered a 26-hour shutdown of the capital beginning on Monday afternoon, closed all the nation's international airports and set up roadblocks on highways leading into town to keep Zelaya supporters from protesting.

But Zelaya loyalists ignored the decree and surrounded the embassy, dancing and cheering and using their mobile phones to light up the streets after electricity was cut off to the area around the embassy.

Carlos Salgado, a 43-year-old jewellery-maker from Zelaya's home state of Olancho, said: "We're here to support him and protect him, and we're going to stay here as long as it's physically possible."

Zelaya's surprise return to Tegucigalpa comes as world leaders gather at the United Nations in New York, putting renewed international pressure on the interim government to let him return to power.

Economic sanctions have already been imposed by the US government and the EU, while Zelaya has called for negotiations with the leaders who forced him from the country at gunpoint.

His return has overshadowed campaigning for the November presidential vote that the interim government hopes will restore an image of international legitimacy.

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