San Jose, Costa Rica  - Costa Rican President Oscar Arias said he would meet Wednesday with the principal Honduran presidential candidates in a last-ditch effort to mediate a continental diplomatic impasse.

Arias warned Monday that Honduras could become the "Albania of Central America" if it does not restore the presidency of Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted in a coup June 28. The country has since been isolated in the Americas and subjected to economic sanctions.

"There is the risk that the winner of the November 29 elections would not be internationally recognized," Arias said.

His proposal, rejected by the interim Honduran government, calls for Zelaya to be reinstalled as president until his constitutional term ends in January. Arias said he hoped to persuade the candidates that "they are the most-interested parties in seeing the plan implemented in order to legitimize the electoral process."

Arias is backed by the United States and many Latin American governments but appeared to have little chance of success. The two top presidential candidates, including Elvin Santos of Zelaya's own Liberal Party, have publicly stated their opposition to his plan. (dpa)