Honduras Congress says Zelaya cannot be reinstated

TEGUCIGALPA Dec 2 (Reuters) - A slim majority of lawmakers in the Honduran Congress voted against the return of ousted President Manuel Zelaya on Wednesday, a move that closes the door on his reinstatement after he was toppled in a June coup.

The state television channel said 64 of the 126 members of Congress in session had voted against Zelaya's reinstatement.

The Congress was tasked with deciding Zelaya's fate as part of a U.S.-brokered deal between the ousted leftist and the country's de facto leaders who took power after the coup.

Opposition candidate Porfirio Lobo won Sunday's presidential election in Honduras. The United States recognized the results but said the vote was only a partial step toward restoring democracy. (Reporting by Anahi Rama and Gustavo Palencia; Edited by John O'Callaghan) ((mica.rosenberg@thomsonreuters.com; +52 55 5282 7153; Reuters Messaging: mica.rosenberg.reuters.com@reuters.net))