Honduras' Supreme Court rebuffed a personal appeal from the Organization of American States (OAS) top international diplomat, refusing to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya before a Saturday deadline.

José Miguel Insulza, head of the organization, flew to Honduras in an attempt to persuade the forces that ousted Zelaya to take him back in the face of overwhelming international condemnation and economic sanctions.

He met for two hours with Jorge Rivera, president of the Supreme Court that authorized the military to seize Zelaya on Sunday and fly him into exile.

"Insulza asked Honduras to reinstate Zelaya, but the president of the court categorically answered that there is an arrest warrant for him," said court spokesman Danilo Izaguirre. "Now the OAS has to decide what it will do."

Insulza has said Honduras will be suspended from the organization, a move that could lead to further sanctions against one of the Americas' poorest countries, unless Zelaya is restored by Saturday morning. The OAS has called an emergency meeting in Washington for Saturday afternoon.

Insulza also met with leaders of Congress, but he said he would not see Roberto Micheletti, whom Congress named president after Zelaya was ousted, in order to avoid legitimizing the government.

Micheletti's foreign minister, Enrique Ortez, said that Insulza "can negotiate all he wants, except for Zelaya's situation."

Zelaya, who was travelling in Central America, planned to return to Honduras on Sunday. He said he would be travelling with Insulza and the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador.

Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is already heading to Washington and confirmed she will travel to Honduras with ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.

Contrary to assertions by the Micheletti government, Interpol released a statement saying it had not received any request to issue an arrest warrant for Zelaya.

Micheletti's supporters say the army was justified in ousting Zelaya - on orders of Congress and the Supreme Court - because he had called a referendum which they claim he intended to use to extend his rule. Zelaya denies that and said he will no longer press for constitutional changes.

Neighbouring countries have imposed trade blockades, major lenders have cut aid, the Obama administration has halted joint military operations and all European Union ambassadors have abandoned the Honduran capital.

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