Washington - The United States on Monday criticized the use of force against protestors in Honduras and reiterated calls for the lawful restoration of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

"We deplore the use of force against demonstrators in Tegucigalpa in recent days," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said. "We once again call upon the de facto regime and all actors in Honduras to refrain from all acts of violence."

The Honduran military removed Zelaya from office on June 28 and flew him out of the country. The new civilian leadership rebuffed Zelaya's attempt to return to Honduras on Sunday by blocking the runway.

The coup has prompted worldwide condemnation. The Organization of American States on Saturday voted unanimously to suspend Honduran participation.

Zelaya is expected to fly back to the United States in the next days and could meet with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Washington is reviewing whether aid to the Honduran government should be cut off. Some aid has already been frozen while the US government examines the situation, Kelly said.(dpa)