January 27, 2010 - By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — A conservative rancher is being sworn in as Honduras’ new president Wednesday, ending months of turmoil and the quest by ousted leader Manuel Zelaya to be restored to power after a coup that drew international condemnation.

President-elect Porfirio Lobo said the first thing he would do after taking office was escort Zelaya from his refuge at the Brazilian Embassy to the airport, where the deposed leader planned to board a flight to the Dominican Republic and start a new life in exile.

Zelaya, who was ousted in a dispute over changing the Honduran constitution, said he would leave the Central American country as a private citizen under a deal signed by Lobo and Dominican President Leonel Fernandez.

The left-leaning Zelaya said he would accept that he was no longer president — but only the moment his four-year constitutional term officially ended Wednesday.

It marks a quiet end to his tumultuous struggle to return to power after soldiers stormed his residence June 28 and flew him out of the country in his pajamas.

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