Ousted Honduran leader says won't negotiate return

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya said on Saturday he would refuse to return to the presidency as part of any deal to end the crisis sparked by his ouster, saying that to do so would legitimize a June coup.

A U.S.-brokered agreement to end the political deadlock in the central American nation collapsed earlier this month after de facto leader Roberto Micheletti said he would form a new government without Zelaya.

"From this date onward, I reaffirm my decision not to accept any agreement to return to the presidency (that would) cover up this coup," Zelaya said, reading from a letter written to U.S. President Barack Obama.

Zelaya had initially welcomed the pact, which he said was meant to reinstate him.

South American leaders have called for his reinstatement but Washington seemed to weaken his position by saying it would recognize a Nov. 29 presidential election simply on the basis of the signing of the accord.

Under the pact, Congress was supposed to vote on whether or not Zelaya would be restored to power, but no deadline was set and lawmakers have dragged their feet.

Zelaya sneaked back into the country in September and has been living in the Brazilian Embassy ever since.

(Reporting by Helen Popper)