Ahead of disputed Honduran presidential elections on November 29, the interim government says if the US recognizes the vote, other countries would follow suit.

"Panama already said it would recognize us. The United States will recognize us. Two countries that are important to us: one close in the region, the other the most powerful country in the world," Micheletti told Reuters on Monday.

The Central American country has been in a political crisis since President Manuel Zelaya was deposed in a military coup on June 28.

After a US-backed deal over whether Zelaya can be returned to power broke down, some Latin American countries threatened not to recognize the result of the election.

However, the White House has not given an official position on the election, but has suggested it will support the outcome whether or not Zelaya is reinstated.

Zelaya has been residing at the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa since his return to the country in September.

The de facto leader said that Zelaya will be arrested if he sets foot outside the embassy.

Neither Micheletti, who planned to step down before the vote on November 25 and return on December 2, nor Zelaya are running for president.

The deposed leftist leader says any election organized by the interim government will be illegal.

AGB/MTM/DT