Regional IDB development bank resumes in Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras

The Inter-American Development Bank says it has decided to resume operations in Honduras that were suspended after a June 2009 coup ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

Vice President Maria Antonieta Guillen says the move will give the impoverished Central American country access to at least $500 million in financing.

Guillen says the money will be used for programs to benefit the country's poorest inhabitants.

The regional development bank is Latin America's largest lender for projects including roads and power plants.

The bank said Tuesday it will send a mission to Honduras to review projects.

President Porfirio Lobo won November elections to replace Zelaya, whose term ended in January.