Red Cross visit amid Honduras row

Pro-Zelaya demonstrators demanded the return of the ousted leader

A Red Cross delegate has been inside the Brazilian embassy in Honduras, where ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has sought refuge.

Mr Zelaya has accused the interim government of violating the rights of those inside the embassy by pumping toxic gas into the building.

The Red Cross says it found no urgent humanitarian needs inside the compound.

Meanwhile Zelaya supporters marched in the capital to demand the return to power of the deposed leader.

On Saturday a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Marcal Izard, said the visit to the embassy had been requested by Mr Zelaya.

The spokesman would not confirm or deny the deposed president's allegations - including his accusation of a toxic gas attack on Friday.

The UN Security Council has called on Honduras' interim government to "cease harassing" the Brazilian embassy.

Constitution row

Mr Zelaya slipped back into the country on Monday, almost three months after being driven out at gunpoint.

The Brazilian embassy has been surrounded by troops and police

The Brazilian embassy building in the capital, Tegucigalpa, has been surrounded by police and troops.

Interim leader Roberto Micheletti has said he would detain Mr Zelaya if he left the embassy but has pledged not to enter the compound to arrest him.

On Saturday thousands of Zelaya supporters marched to the embassy. The protesters chanted: "Mel [nickname for Manuel] hang in there, the people are rising."

The crisis in Honduras flared when Mr Zelaya tried to hold a non-binding public consultation in July, asking people whether they supported moves to change the constitution.

His opponents said the move was unconstitutional and was aimed at removing the current one-term limit on serving as president, so paving the way for Mr Zelaya's possible re-election. He has denied this.

The authorities say a new presidential election will be held in November.