Honduran Coup Government Lifts Ban on Protests, Media

The interim Honduran government has lifted an emergency decree that prohibited protest marches and limited other civil liberties, clearing the way for possible new demonstrations over the political standoff in this Central American country. Supporters of ousted President Manuel Zelaya were expected to march on Tuesday in the capital, a day before an Organization of American States summit of regional foreign ministers is due to arrive for talks aimed at ending the impasse over control of the government. Interim President Roberto Micheletti said Monday that the decree, which resulted in dozens of arrests and the closing of two pro-Zelaya media outlets, "has been completely revoked," but Zelaya expressed doubts. "Let's see if they free the campesinos and end the oppression of the people, or if this is one more trick," the ousted president said.