The deposed Honduran leader Manuel Zelaya was greeted by hundreds of supporters in the airport to give him their farewell wishes before he left for the Dominican Republic to begin his exile.

The exile of Zelaya has ended seven months of turmoil in Honduras after soldiers forced him out of office at gunpoint in June after controversies occurred over a constitutional dispute.

Zelaya was offered a safe passage to the Dominican Republic by the ‘newly elected’ President Porfirio Lobo after a deal was made between the two men to avoid any prosecutions for Zelaya.

The X Honduran leader was taken to the Dominican Republic via the presidential plane, accompanied by the country’s president, Leonel Fernandez,who hours before attended the swearing in ceremony of Mr Lobo.

The exiled leader was taken into the airport with a 15 vehicle convoy

Some supporters wrote on placards, “See you later Papa Mel. God bless you,” Papa Mel being Zelaya’s nickname.

Zelaya had stayed in the Brazilian Embassy after his exile before returning in September in secret to try return to office.