The US military said its troops in Honduras did not know of and played no role in a flight that took ousted President Manuel Zelaya to exile during a military coup.

Honduras’ interim leader said he is willing to step down if it helps end his country’s political crisis but only if ousted President Manuel Zelaya isn’t allowed to regain power.

Police and soldiers clashed with thousands of protesters outside Honduras’ national palace, leaving at least 45 people injured, as world leaders from Barack Obama to Hugo Chavez demanded the return of a president ousted in a military coup.