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| Yanukovych urges rival to concede | Yanukovych urges rival to concede |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Viktor Yanukovych, the winner of Ukraine's presidential election, has called on his rival to abandon her protests and resign as prime minister. | Viktor Yanukovych, the winner of Ukraine's presidential election, has called on his rival to abandon her protests and resign as prime minister. |
| Yulia Tymoshenko's camp has said it is determined to challenge the results of Sunday's vote in court, and wants a recount of votes in certain places. | Yulia Tymoshenko's camp has said it is determined to challenge the results of Sunday's vote in court, and wants a recount of votes in certain places. |
| But international observers gave the election a clean bill of health. | But international observers gave the election a clean bill of health. |
| Electoral officials have now counted all the ballots, and say Mr Yanukovych won by a margin of 3.48%. | Electoral officials have now counted all the ballots, and say Mr Yanukovych won by a margin of 3.48%. |
| "I call on the prime minister to resign and go into opposition," Mr Yanukovych said in an statement posted on the website of his Party of the Regions. | |
| "I want to remind Mrs Tymoshenko that the basis of democracy is the will of the people. Democratic leaders always accept the results of the elections. The country does not need a new crisis," he added. | "I want to remind Mrs Tymoshenko that the basis of democracy is the will of the people. Democratic leaders always accept the results of the elections. The country does not need a new crisis," he added. |
| Ukraine has been in political deadlock for several years, undermining its ability to deal with a severe economic crisis. Analysts say a challenge by Mrs Tymoshenko would prolong the instability. | Ukraine has been in political deadlock for several years, undermining its ability to deal with a severe economic crisis. Analysts say a challenge by Mrs Tymoshenko would prolong the instability. |
| With Mrs Tymoshenko still heading the government, stalemate is likely to continue. Mr Yanukovych has said he wants to form a new coalition, and may try to call snap parliamentary elections. | With Mrs Tymoshenko still heading the government, stalemate is likely to continue. Mr Yanukovych has said he wants to form a new coalition, and may try to call snap parliamentary elections. |
| Pressure to concede | Pressure to concede |
| Mrs Tymoshenko has not issued a statement since Sunday night, leaving confusion over her position. | Mrs Tymoshenko has not issued a statement since Sunday night, leaving confusion over her position. |
| Members of her party have said they will contest the result, and the Interfax-Ukraine news agency said a recount was already under way in the Crimea region. | Members of her party have said they will contest the result, and the Interfax-Ukraine news agency said a recount was already under way in the Crimea region. |
| However, another party ally predicted she would concede within days. | However, another party ally predicted she would concede within days. |
| Correspondents say Mrs Tymoshenko is under heavy pressure to accept the result. | Correspondents say Mrs Tymoshenko is under heavy pressure to accept the result. |
| This Orange nightmare has finally come to an end Yanukovych supporter Galina Khomchenko | This Orange nightmare has finally come to an end Yanukovych supporter Galina Khomchenko |
| The EU and US endorsed the conduct of the election, and Russia has congratulated Mr Yanukovych on victory. | The EU and US endorsed the conduct of the election, and Russia has congratulated Mr Yanukovych on victory. |
| International observers said the election had been transparent, unbiased and an "impressive display" of democracy. | International observers said the election had been transparent, unbiased and an "impressive display" of democracy. |
| Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) were unusually blunt, warning the country's political leaders they should listen to the people's verdict and make sure the transition of power was peaceful. | Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) were unusually blunt, warning the country's political leaders they should listen to the people's verdict and make sure the transition of power was peaceful. |
| Releasing their final vote tally on Wednesday, the Central Elections Commission said Mr Yanukovych had garnered 48.95% of the ballots to Mrs Tymoshenko's 45.47%. | Releasing their final vote tally on Wednesday, the Central Elections Commission said Mr Yanukovych had garnered 48.95% of the ballots to Mrs Tymoshenko's 45.47%. |
| Some 4% voted against both candidates, while 1.2% of the ballots were spoiled. Voter turnout was about 69%. | Some 4% voted against both candidates, while 1.2% of the ballots were spoiled. Voter turnout was about 69%. |
| Music blared | Music blared |
| On the streets of the capital, Kiev, Yanukovych supporters have been gathering, hoping to bid a final farewell to the Orange Revolution. | On the streets of the capital, Kiev, Yanukovych supporters have been gathering, hoping to bid a final farewell to the Orange Revolution. |
| Mr Yanukovych was pronounced the victor of the 2004 election, only for the result to be over-ruled because of vote-rigging, following Mrs Tymoshenko's Orange uprising. | Mr Yanukovych was pronounced the victor of the 2004 election, only for the result to be over-ruled because of vote-rigging, following Mrs Tymoshenko's Orange uprising. |
| "At last, the victory that we have been waiting for," said chef Galina Khomchenko, 43, as loud music blared from the stage set up in the square. | "At last, the victory that we have been waiting for," said chef Galina Khomchenko, 43, as loud music blared from the stage set up in the square. |
| "This Orange nightmare has finally come to an end." | "This Orange nightmare has finally come to an end." |