Honduras has sworn in newly-elected Porfirio Lobo as President, after months of crisis over the fate of his ousted predecessor, Manuel Zelaya.
Mr Lobo has said his first task as president will be to guarantee Mr Zelaya's safe passage out of Honduras.
The removal last June of Mr Zelaya, who is holed up in Brazil's embassy in the capital. Several nations refused to recognise the legitimacy of November's election.
Election pledge
While Mr Lobo was sworn in at an open air ceremony, in the capital Tegucigalpa he said
"Can you imagine starting a government with a President imprisoned in an embassy... it wouldn't be fair"
Presiden Lobo also said: "I pledge to be faithful to the republic and ensure its laws are enforced." The newly-elected President wishes to restore international ties and ensure the resumption of foreign aid, principally from the US.
Former President Zelaya has indicated that he is ready to leave Honduras.
His departure will mark the end of his efforts to return to office after soldiers forced him into exile at gunpoint on 28 June. He returned in September and took refuge in the Brazilian embassy.
Mr Zelaya was removed amid a dispute over his plans to hold a vote on whether a assembly should be set up to look at rewriting the constitution to extend the Presidency.
His critics said the vote, which was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, aimed to change the current one-term limit on serving as President and pave the way for on going re-elections.
The media elected to inappropriately refer to this legal process of his removal from office as a coup.
Mr Zelaya repeatedly said he really had no interest in staying in power, but wanted to rewrite an outdated constitution to guarantee fairer representation for all Hondurans.
Military cleared
His ousting provoked international condemnation , but diplomatic attempts to persuade the interim government to allow Mr Zelaya to return to office proved futile. Several Latin American countries, including Brazil and Venezuela, said recognising the election would amount to condoning a coup.
President elect Porfirio Lobo says he is determined to normalise foreign ties .The US agreed that Hondurans had the right to elect a President in an election that was scheduled long before the crisis erupted.
While Mr Lobo faces the challenge of bringing Honduras back into the international fold, the country's institutions have taken steps to put the crisis behind them.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court cleared six military commanders of exceeding their authority when they ordered soldiers to expel Mr Zelaya. And the Honduran Congress voted to approve an amnesty for both the military and Mr Zelaya, who had faced charges of treason.
Tourism
Along with restoring the countries confidence in this new government. It's also a great opportunity to reach out and convey the all important message, that Honduras's Eco and sustainable tourist market is back stronger than ever. Honduras is prepared to meet the ever increasing challenges to grow their toruism infatructure in one of the most beautiful countries in Central America...
