The Honduran authorities have imposed a round-the-clock curfew and shut down airports after the dramatic return of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

Zelaya has taken refuge in Brazil's embassy in Tegucigalpa. Many of his supporters later gathered outside.

He said he had crossed mountains and rivers to return to the capital, where he said he was seeking dialogue.

In a televised address, interim leader Roberto Micheletti demanded that Brazil hand over Zelaya to stand trial, the BBC reported.

Micheletti said Brazil would be held responsible for any violence.

"A call to the government of Brazil: respect the judicial order against Mr Zelaya and turn him into Honduran authorities," he said.

"The eyes of the world are on Brazil and Honduras."

Brazil's Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, warned that any threat to Zelaya or the Brazilian embassy would be a grave breach of international law.

Zelaya's return took officials by surprise, with Micheletti at first denying the deposed leader was in the country.

As tension inside Honduras increased, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Zelaya's return must not lead to violence.

In images broadcast on national television, a smiling Zelaya wearing his trademark white cowboy hat appeared on the balcony of the Brazilian embassy waving to a crowd of supporters.

Shortly afterwards officials imposed a 26-hour curfew, starting at 2200 GMT on Monday.