EU nations withdraw Honduras ambassadors

(BRUSSELS) - All EU countries with embassies in Honduras have withdrawn their ambassadors following the coup last weekend that ousted President Manuel Zelaya, the Swedish EU presidency announced Thursday.

The European Union backed calls "for a peaceful solution aimed at restoring the constitutional order by reinstating President Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales," an EU presidency statement said, echoing the efforts of the Organisation of American States.

"The EU expresses its deep concern over the political crisis in Honduras and the violations of the constitutional order," the statement continued.

"In response to the gravity of the current situation" all EU ambassadors have left the country, it added.

Of the 27 EU nations, only four had full ambassador-level representation in Tegucigalpa -- France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Those have now left leaving national offices to be run at the charge d'affaires level.

Demonstrations grew Thursday across Honduras by both supporters and detractors of ousted president Zelaya, ahead of an expected weekend showdown when he plans to return home.

The crisis entered its fifth day with no break in the impasse between the international community and backers of Zelaya's hasty removal on Sunday into exile in his pajamas.

The Spanish embassy which was representing the EU presidency, in the absence of a Swedish ambassador, "has been recalled for consultations," according to the EU statement.

Spain, which like France withdrew its ambassador on Wednesday, had been pressing EU member states to recall their ambassadors from Honduras after the ousting of Zelaya, as a number of Latin American countries have already done.

"I think that it is a clear sign of the position of Europe, of the international community, and the provisional authorities (in Honduras) must reflect on it," Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos had told Spanish National Radio of the decision to downgrade diplomatic ties.

European Commission spokeswoman Christiane Hohmann confirmed that "the EU member state embassies have reduced to charge d'affaire level."

The commission, the EU's executive arm, had no need to take such action as it only had a charge d'affaire in Honduras, she added.

"The EU calls on all relevant parties and institutions to refrain from violence and to strive to find a swift and peaceful solution to the current situation." said the EU presidency, which Sweden took over from the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

"The EU underlines the importance of respecting rule of law, human rights and democracy by all sides," the statement stressed.

Moratinos called for "the return of democratic order" with "as a pre-condition that the legitimate president, the constitutional president, Mr. Zelaya, cane return and continue to be president."

EU nations had already agreed on Wednesday to have no contact with the post-coup leaders in Honduras.