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Ukraine crisis: PM Azarov offers to quit over protests Ukraine crisis: Parliament abolishes anti-protest law
(about 1 hour later)
Ukraine's Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has offered his resignation to try to end the protests gripping cities across the country. The Ukrainian parliament has voted overwhelmingly to annul controversial anti-protest legislation.
In a statement, he said the move was designed to create "social and political compromise". The decision comes less than two weeks after the measures were introduced.
Parliament is meanwhile holding an emergency debate on the crisis. The law, which banned the wearing of helmets by protesters and the blockading of public buildings, had helped fuel continuing anti-government demonstrations.
It plans to vote on repealing controversial anti-protest legislation, which President Viktor Yanukovych has already agreed to scrap. In another move to appease the protesters, Ukraine's Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has offered to quit.
In his resignation statement, PM Azarov said: "To create additional opportunities for social and political compromise and for a peaceful solution to the conflict, I made a personal decision to ask the president of Ukraine to accept my resignation as prime minister of Ukraine". In a statement, he said the offer of his resignation to President Viktor Yanukovych was intended to create "social and political compromise".
Parliament - holding an emergency debate on the crisis - voted by 361 to 2 to repeal the protest law.
President Yanukovych had already agreed to scrap the legislation in a concession to the opposition.
But up until the vote, it was unclear how MPs from his governing Party of the Regions would cast their ballots as they were allowed a "free vote" - to vote as they saw fit.
Aside from the ban on helmets and blockades, the legislation had outlawed unauthorised tents in public areas and the slandering of government officials.
MPs applauded as the result was announced.
'Personal decision'
In his resignation statement, Prime Minister Azarov said: "To create additional opportunities for social and political compromise and for a peaceful solution to the conflict, I made a personal decision to ask the president of Ukraine to accept my resignation as prime minister of Ukraine."
The government had "done everything to ensure the peaceful resolution of the conflict" and would do "everything possible to prevent bloodshed, an escalation of violence, and violation of citizen's rights", he said.The government had "done everything to ensure the peaceful resolution of the conflict" and would do "everything possible to prevent bloodshed, an escalation of violence, and violation of citizen's rights", he said.
If the president signs the decree for the PM's resignation, then the whole cabinet resigns, says the BBC's David Stern in Kiev. But they can remain in their posts for 60 days until a new government is formed. If the president signs the decree for the resignation, then the whole cabinet resigns, says the BBC's David Stern in Kiev. But they can remain in their posts for 60 days until a new government is formed.
Free vote President Yanukovych had already offered Mr Azarov's job to the opposition at the weekend, proposing that Fatherland leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk take the post. Mr Yatsenyuk declined the offer.
Opposition to the protest law has helped fuel deadly clashes between anti-government protesters and police. Parliament adjourned after the vote on the protest law and is due to discuss the issue of granting an amnesty to convicted protesters on Tuesday afternoon.
The legislation bans unauthorised tents in public areas and also punishes the slandering of government officials.
Anyone blockading public buildings could face jail, and the wearing of masks or helmets at demonstrations is banned.
Confirmation that the president had agreed to get rid of the protest law came in a statement on the presidential website from Justice Minister Olena Lukash.
"A political decision has been made to abolish the laws adopted on January 16 that caused multiple discussions," she said.
However, it is unclear whether MPs at Tuesday's session will back the president's decision. MPs from his governing Party of the Regions are being allowed a "free vote" - to vote as they see fit.
The assembly is due to tackle other opposition demands, such as an amnesty for arrested activists.
Mr Yanukovych offered an amnesty only if protesters cleared barricades and stopped attacking government buildings.Mr Yanukovych offered an amnesty only if protesters cleared barricades and stopped attacking government buildings.
The president made the concessions during talks with the three main opposition leaders on Monday - Fatherland leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Udar (Punch) chief Vitali Klitschko, and nationalist leader Oleg Tyahnybok. The president made the concessions during talks on Monday with Mr Yatsenyuk, Udar (Punch) chief Vitali Klitschko, and nationalist leader Oleg Tyahnybok.
'Alarmed'
Meanwhile, top EU diplomat Catherine Ashton has brought forward a planned visit to Ukraine by 48 hours and will now arrive on Tuesday for meetings with Mr Yanukovych and opposition leaders.Meanwhile, top EU diplomat Catherine Ashton has brought forward a planned visit to Ukraine by 48 hours and will now arrive on Tuesday for meetings with Mr Yanukovych and opposition leaders.
She said she was "alarmed" by reports on Monday that the government was preparing to introduce a state of emergency. Officials have denied any such plan.She said she was "alarmed" by reports on Monday that the government was preparing to introduce a state of emergency. Officials have denied any such plan.
Putin Ms Ashton arrives from Brussels where she, with other senior EU leaders, will have met Russian President Vladimir Putin at an EU-Russia summit.
So far there has been no sign of demonstrators leaving the streets and the opposition has called for renewed protests to coincide with the meeting of parliament. Differences over Ukraine were expected to be high on the agenda.
The crisis in Ukraine was sparked when Mr Yanukovych pulled out of a planned trade deal with the EU last November in favour of a $15bn (£9bn) bailout from Russia.
So far there has been no sign of demonstrators leaving the streets and the opposition called for renewed protests to coincide with the meeting of parliament.
Activists continue to occupy Kiev's central square and government buildings in a number of Ukrainian cities, saying they will not leave until Mr Yanukovych resigns.Activists continue to occupy Kiev's central square and government buildings in a number of Ukrainian cities, saying they will not leave until Mr Yanukovych resigns.
Unrest has spread across Ukraine, even to Mr Yanukovych's Russian-speaking strongholds in the east.Unrest has spread across Ukraine, even to Mr Yanukovych's Russian-speaking strongholds in the east.
Four activists have died in incidents connected with the protests in recent days.
The crisis was sparked when Mr Yanukovych pulled out of a planned trade deal with the EU last November in favour of a $15bn (£9bn) bailout from Russia.
Ukraine is expected to feature at talks in Brussels on Tuesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the European Union.
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