Honduras' interim government ordered Argentine diplomats on Tuesday to leave the country in three days, sending a defiant message ahead of a visit by six foreign ministers who are seeking the restoration of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

The Foreign Ministry said the diplomats were ordered to leave in response to Argentina's decision to expel the Honduran ambassador, who has recognised the government of Interim President Roberto Micheletti.

It was another signal that Micheletti will not budge on international demands that Zelaya be restored to power. Argentina is among six countries planning to send their foreign ministers to Honduras in a bid to revive negotiations - a visit that was postponed last week after the interim government said it did not want the Organisation of American States chief to join the mission. No new date has been set.

It was the second time the interim government ordered the expulsion of foreign diplomats since soldiers flew Zelaya into exile in a June 28 coup condemned worldwide.

Venezuela's envoys have also been told to leave but have refused, saying they will not recognise an order by the coup-installed government.

Dangerous precedent

The left-leaning governments of Venezuela and Argentina have been among the most vocal in demanding Zelaya's return to power, warning the coup has set a dangerous precedent for Latin American democracy.

Micheletti, who has withstood weeks of diplomatic isolation and the suspension of international aid, insists that Congress legitimately removed Zelaya from office after Zelaya ignored court orders to drop efforts to change the Honduran constitution.