TEGUCIGALPA - Lawmakers in Honduras on Wednesday approved the 2009 budget in a move that had been paralyzed under ousted President Manuel Zelaya, who has vowed to return from exile this week.

Despite widespread international criticism and pressure, the de facto leaders who sent Zelaya away on June 28 have remained defiant, and have so far rejected international mediation efforts for his negotiated return.

The Congress, dominated by supporters of de facto leader Roberto Micheletti, on Wednesday approved the 2009 Budget Law, with only five out of more than 120 deputies opposing the move.

"In 12 to 15 days we approved what was (blocked) for more than 10 months," said deputy Gonzalo Rivera on national television.

The law set a 112-billion-lempira (around 5.9 billion-dollar) budget, lower than that planned by Zelaya.

Half of the budget had already been spent, Rivera said.

Zelaya had increased spending on social programs as he moved increasingly to the political left after being elected on a centrist platform in 2005.

Many Honduran lawmakers, judges and military leaders believe Zelaya triggered the country's crisis by pushing ahead with a June 28 referendum, without congressional approval, on changing the constitution.

Venezuela, whose President Hugo Chavez is a key backer to Zelaya, on Tuesday angrily rejected what it called an "absurd" demand from the de facto leaders that gave Venezuelan diplomats until Friday to leave the country.

Zelaya has said he would return to Honduras after a deadline for crisis talks to resume was due to expire this week.