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Ukraine rivals in tense stand-off Ukraine rivals in tense stand-off
(about 3 hours later)
Ukraine's PM Viktor Yanukovych has called the president's decision to dissolve parliament a "fatal mistake", amid a deepening political crisis. Ukraine's PM Viktor Yanukovych has called the president's decision to dissolve parliament a "fatal mistake".
Mr Yanukovych spoke to an emergency session of parliament before addressing a large crowd of supporters gathered nearby in central Kiev. Mr Yanukovych spoke to members of parliament before addressing thousands of his supporters in central Kiev.
Pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko on Monday ordered parliament to be dissolved and called a snap election. Members of parliament are also refusing to obey President Viktor Yushchenko's order to prepare for a snap election.
The move followed a political stand-off between the two long-term rivals. The pro-Western president accuses his pro-Russia rival of trying to usurp power by increasing his parliamentary majority in an unconstitutional manner.
Mr Yushchenko's supporters have also been called to demonstrate in the capital, with the stand-off echoing the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept him to power. Mr Yushchenko met Mr Yanukovych in his office, but failed to gain his agreement to implement the decree ordering an early poll on 27 May.
My actions are dictated by the strict necessity to save the state's sovereignty and territorial integrity President Viktor Yushchenko Q&A: Political crisis The European Commission called for all parties to seek a "peaceful solution" to the dispute. There is still a chance to avoid the worst Viktor Yanukovych Prime Minister Q&A: Political crisis
The prime minister's supporters have urged the constitutional court to rule on whether the president's action was legal.
Mr Yushchenko's supporters have been called to demonstrate in the capital, with the stand-off echoing the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept him to power.
The European Commission called for all parties to seek a "peaceful solution" to the dispute.
Presidential poll threat
Speaking to supporters massed outside parliament, Mr Yanukovych threatened to try to force a presidential election if Mr Yushchenko persisted with plans for a snap parliamentary poll.Speaking to supporters massed outside parliament, Mr Yanukovych threatened to try to force a presidential election if Mr Yushchenko persisted with plans for a snap parliamentary poll.
"He should understand that the only way out is looking for a compromise at the negotiating table," he said."He should understand that the only way out is looking for a compromise at the negotiating table," he said.
The parliamentary election is scheduled for 27 May, after the president's decree to dissolve parliament came into force. href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_ukraine_election_battle/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_ukraine_election_battle/html/1.stm', '1175611107', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Ukraine reaction to the snap election called by the president href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_ukraine_election_battle/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_ukraine_election_battle/html/1.stm', '1175611107', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures
But deputies in parliament have continued to work in defiance of the official proclamation, which allies of Mr Yanukovych called "a step towards a coup d'etat".
And the prime minister's supporters, who favour closer ties with Russia, have urged the constitutional court to rule on whether the president's action was legal.
"There is still a chance to avoid the worst," Mr Yanukovych told parliament, reminding Mr Yushchenko of "the weight of responsibility" on his shoulders."There is still a chance to avoid the worst," Mr Yanukovych told parliament, reminding Mr Yushchenko of "the weight of responsibility" on his shoulders.
Shifting alliances When the two men met later, the president insisted on a "strict implementation of the decree on an early election", his press service said.
The announcement of the new election followed seven hours of failed talks between Mr Yushchenko and parliamentary leaders. "Viktor Yushchenko, as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, also stressed he would allow no use of force in the country," said the president's office.
It is not only my right, it is my obligation Viktor Yushchenko class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/4035789.stm">Profile: Viktor Yushchenko class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/4038803.stm">Profile: Viktor Yanukovych Mr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority. The announcement of the new election followed seven hours of failed talks on Monday between Mr Yushchenko and parliamentary leaders.
Mr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority.
Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides.Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides.
If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change.
"My actions are dictated by the strict necessity to save the state's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Mr Yushchenko said in his televised address to the nation. "It is not only my right, it is my obligation."
And he accused rivals of using an "unconstitutional process" to form a parliamentary majority. "Deliberate efforts are being made in parliament to worsen the political crisis, posing a threat to our country and people," he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY Yushchenko should have resigned than follow the path he has taken CC, Kiev Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Yushchenko should have resigned than follow the path he has taken CC, Kiev Send us your comments
Over the weekend, tens of thousands of supporters of both factions turned out on the streets of Kiev for rival rallies. If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change.
Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych.Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych.
But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed.But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed.