GUATEMALA - Though there will be no Guatemalan presence to the inauguration of Honduran President elect Porfirio Lobo, the Guatemalan government seems to be willing to recognize it after that step.

Foreign Minister Haroldo Rodas confirmed there will be no official Guatemalan presence in Tegucigalpa when Lobo takes office on the 27th.

Since the coup against constitutional Honduran President Manuel Zelaya on June 28, Guatemala has not recognized the de facto government headed by Roberto Micheletti, who refuses to leave power and personally hand it in to the president elect.

However, President Alvaro Colom will meet Friday in that capital with the future Honduran president, with Rodas calling the meeting private.

Lobo comes to the country to attend a gathering with local business people and will be informed on the Central American economic situation, chiefly on such affairs as investment, security, institutional strengthening, and agreement with the European Union.

He will then meet with Colom, who maintains his country's stance for Micheletti leaving power, and Zelaya's reinstatement before the inauguration.

When that happens, it was revealed, the Guatemalan government will recognize the Honduran authorities headed by Lobo.

Regarding that, the foreign minister said Colom and Lobo will meet to analyze the course of bilateral relations in short and mid term.