The Honduran authorities have cut off water, electricity and telephone connections to the country's Brazilian Embassy, where former President Manuel Zelaya is taking refuge.

Mr Zelaya was overthrown in a military coup in June and sent into forced exile in Costa Rica, but he managed to sneak back into the country earlier this week, vowing to retake power.

He and around 70 friends and relatives have taken refuge in the Brazilian Embassy, which has since been surrounded by heavily-armed soldiers.

The soldiers have used tear gas and water cannons on thousands of protestors who have showed up to express support for Mr Zelaya in defiance of a curfew imposed by the authorities.

Brazil is calling on the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis and guarantee the safety of both the embassy and Mr Zelaya.