The ousted president of Honduras has won overwhelming international support as he plans a high-profile return to his chaotic country.
The politicians who sent soldiers to fly him into exile in his pyjamas said he will be arrested for treason if he tries.
The interim leader named by Congress, Roberto Micheletti, warned only an armed invasion could restore toppled President Manuel Zelaya.
"He has already committed crimes against the constitution and the law. He can no longer return to the presidency of the republic unless a president from another Latin American country comes and imposes him using guns," Mr Micheletti said from the heavily fortified presidential palace.
The showdown was building to a climax as the presidents of Argentina and Ecuador signed on to accompany Mr Zelaya and the heads of the Organisation of American States and the UN General Assembly on a flight to Honduras on Thursday.
Attorney General Luis Alberto Rubi said Mr Zelaya would be seized "as soon as he sets foot on Honduran soil" and face 20 years in prison on charges that also include abuse of authority.
"I'm going back to calm people down. I'm going to try to open a dialogue and put things in order," Mr Zelaya said at the United Nations.
"When I'm back, people are going to say ... 'commander, we're at your service' and the army will have to correct itself. There's no other possibility."
The UN General Assembly voted by acclamation to demand Mr Zelaya's immediate restoration, and the Organisation of American States was meeting to consider suspending Honduras for straying from democracy.
Albert Rambin, the OAS's assistant secretary-general, said the new president intended to send a Honduran delegation to the OAS, but it would not be accepted.
