Honduras has quit the Organization of American States ahead of a crucial bloc meeting that would have discussed the dismissal of the country over its recent coup.

The OAS had scheduled the meeting for Saturday after giving the interim government in Honduras an ultimatum to reinstate the ousted president of the country, Manuel Zelaya.

In a statement issued later on Friday, however, the Central American coup leaders annulled the Honduras membership in the OAS in defiance of the organization's demand.

According to AFP, Micheletti's administration ruled out allegiance to the united charter of Americas "with immediate effect" in a move to ward off liabilities stemming from the agreement.

Honduras has been grappling with an ongoing administrative crisis following the overthrow of the Zelaya government last week in a military face-off that plunged the nation into political turmoil.

The international community has condemned the recent havoc in the Hoduran capital Tegucigalpa, demanding the swift return of the democratically elected leader.

Micheletti, a former congressional leader, has repeatedly expressed his intention to remain in office despite the mounting tensions.

He assumed power via parliamentarian sponsorship after banishing Zelaya from the country for his pro-socialist political approach. Micheletti has warned the international community that 'only a military raid against 7.5 million Hondurans could topple his administration.'

ARQN/AA