The secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS) said here Friday he would immediately recommend the suspension of Honduras from the regional group due to its post-coup rulers' refusal to reinstate ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza was speaking to reporters after he failed to persuade the interim government of Honduras to reinstate Zelaya, who was deposed after Sunday's military coup.

The OAS has given Honduras' interim government until noon on Saturday to restore Zelaya to power, or face expulsion.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2009)