Tegucigalpa, Honduras  - Interim Honduran President Roberto Micheletti said he is prepared to talk to his ousted predecessor after Manuel Zelaya snuck back into the country and took refuge in the Brazilian embassy.

"I am ready to talk with anyone, at any place and any time, including ex-president Manuel Zelaya," Micheletti said in a statement read Tuesday night by Foreign Minister Carlos Lopez Contreras on national television.

The crisis must come to an end but it must be resolved in the framework of the constitution, Micheletti said as pressure rose from the international community, which still recognizes Zelaya as the legitimate Honduran leader.

"I am ready to talk with Mr Zelaya, as long as he explicitly recognizes the elections authorized by our constitution and scheduled for November 29," the statement added.

Zelaya was deposed in a June 28 coup and forced into exile after allegedly seeking to change the constitution to allow him to remain in office rather than having to leave in January as current law mandates.

The situation escalated Monday when Zelaya returned to Honduras. Thousands of his supporters gathered outside the Brazilian embassy Tuesday before being dispersed by police with tear gas.

Many people refused to respect a curfew imposed by Micheletti's administration and clashed with security forces, resulting in a number of arrests and injuries.

Despite his offer to talk, Micheletti said in his statement Tuesday night that Zelaya still faces arrest.

"My offer to talk with Mr Zelaya cannot undo the arrest order of the Honduran Supreme Court against him nor the charges that he faces under our independent judicial system," Micheletti's statement said.

"My offer is to reach a political solution, but I cannot resolve his legal difficulties," it added.

Honduras' de-facto government said its forces would not storm the embassy to remove Zelaya while the deposed president - who has been charged with treason, abuse of power and violating the constitution - outlined his stance as "reinstatement or death."

The diplomatic impasse worsened as Brazil accused Honduran officials of cutting electricity, water and telephone service to the embassy in Tegucigalpa.

Meanwhile, Micheletti protested Brazil's involvement in the internal political crisis, saying it should either grant asylum to Zelaya in Brazil, or turn him over to Honduran authorities.

The curfew was extended through Wednesday. Businesses, offices, airports and schools remained closed Tuesday. Only hospitals, ambulances and the media did not close down. (dpa)