UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about the latest development in Honduras, and calls on all Hondurans to make efforts to peacefully resolve their differences, a UN statement said at United Nations on Sunday.

A statement issued by Ban's spokesperson said the secretary-general "expresses his strong support for the country's democratic institutions and condemns the arrest today of the constitutional president of the Republic."

"He urges the reinstatement of the democratically elected representatives of the country and full respect for human rights, including safeguards for the security of President (Manuel) Zelaya, members of his family and his government," the statement said.

The secretary-general welcomes the prompt diplomatic efforts of the Organization of American States, whose Permanent Council is holding a special meeting this morning, the statement said. "He trusts that international and domestic efforts will succeed in the promotion of a peaceful solution to the crisis through democratic means."

"The United Nations stands ready to provide assistance in overcoming this crisis," the statement said.

The Honduran army ousted and exiled President Zelaya, 56, on Sunday in the first military coup in Central America since the Cold War, triggered by his bid to make it legal to seek another term in office, reports said.

Zelaya, who took office in 2006 and is limited by the constitution to a four-year term that ends in early 2010, had angered the army, courts and Congress by pushing for an unofficial public vote on Sunday to gauge support for his plan to hold a November referendum on allowing presidential re-election, according to the reports.

Source:Xinhua