Eduardo Azeredo, the chairman of the Brazilian Senate's Foreign Relations Commission, noted that 'the Brazilian government had no prior knowledge of Zelaya's arrival at the embassy'.

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) expressed its 'profound concern' over the situation in Honduras, calling for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

In New York, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos earlier said Madrid was planning to send its ambassador back to Tegucigalpa, along with those of the European Union and OAS, which withdrew their representatives following the coup.

The ambassadors would be sent back in support of Zelaya, and OAS was also sending a delegation to mediate in the conflict, OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza said, adding he might travel there Friday or Saturday.

Honduran authorities Thursday allowed the restoration of international flights to and from its airports, which had been suspended since Zelaya's surprise arrival Monday. All flights were expected to be operating normally by Saturday.

The authorities have confirmed that at least one person has been killed in the unrest since Zelaya's return, while many others - including police officers - have been injured, and scores have been arrested.