Supporters of Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya shut down commercial highways on Thursday in protests in the capital and other places, demanding his reinstatement ahead of weekend mediation talks.

The demonstrations by hundreds of Zelaya followers took place as Costa Rican President Oscar Arias prepared to host talks on Saturday with the rival sides in the political crisis triggered by the June 28 coup that toppled Zelaya.

Micheletti has said the army lawfully removed Zelaya because he violated the constitution by seeking to lift limits on presidential terms and has ruled out Zelaya's return to office.