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| Ukraine prime minister Mykola Azarov resigns in bid to ease crisis | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The prime minister of crisis-torn Ukraine has submitted his resignation. | The prime minister of crisis-torn Ukraine has submitted his resignation. |
| In a statement this morning on the government website, Mykola Azarov offered his resignation in order to encourage what he called “social-political compromise.” | In a statement this morning on the government website, Mykola Azarov offered his resignation in order to encourage what he called “social-political compromise.” |
| "Today the most important thing is to preserve the unity and integrity of Ukraine. This is far more important than any personal plans or ambitions. That is why I have taken this decision," he said. | "Today the most important thing is to preserve the unity and integrity of Ukraine. This is far more important than any personal plans or ambitions. That is why I have taken this decision," he said. |
| Mr Azarov's statement was published as the parliament opened a special session to vote on whether to repeal anti-protest laws imposed last month, which fuelled clashes between anti-government protesters and police. | |
| Because of Ukraine's constitution, if the president accepts his resignation, then the whole government resigns. | |
| Ukraine has been gripped by protests for two months and the crisis was aggravated in recent days after protesters and police clashed violently. Protests began on 21 November when President Viktor Yanukovych chose closer ties with Russia and spurned a political and trade agreement with the EU. | Ukraine has been gripped by protests for two months and the crisis was aggravated in recent days after protesters and police clashed violently. Protests began on 21 November when President Viktor Yanukovych chose closer ties with Russia and spurned a political and trade agreement with the EU. |
| On Monday, President Viktor Yanukovych offered to give opposition leaders top government posts, make amendments to the constitution, and allow an amnesty for detained protesters. | On Monday, President Viktor Yanukovych offered to give opposition leaders top government posts, make amendments to the constitution, and allow an amnesty for detained protesters. |
| The prime minister's resignation would remove one of the most unpopular figures among the opposition and repealing the anti-protest laws would remove a major aggravating factor in the crisis. But they do not meet all opposition demands, which include Mr Yanukovych's resignation. | The prime minister's resignation would remove one of the most unpopular figures among the opposition and repealing the anti-protest laws would remove a major aggravating factor in the crisis. But they do not meet all opposition demands, which include Mr Yanukovych's resignation. |
| In addition, Mr Yanukovych says an amnesty for dozens of protesters arrested in the demonstrations will only be implemented only if protesters leave the streets and vacate buildings that they have occupied. Ending the protests without having other demands met appears unlikely. | In addition, Mr Yanukovych says an amnesty for dozens of protesters arrested in the demonstrations will only be implemented only if protesters leave the streets and vacate buildings that they have occupied. Ending the protests without having other demands met appears unlikely. |
| Additional reporting by Associated Press In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine | Additional reporting by Associated Press In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine |