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Ukrainian president and protesters agree early election | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition protesters have agreed to an early presidential poll before the end of the year. | |
The election is part of a deal to end the country's political crisis. | |
Mr Yanukovych said he had also agreed to a national unity government, and to make constitutional changes reducing the power of the president. | |
The compromise came after hours of talks between mediated by three European foreign ministers. | |
The German and Polish ministers met protesters in Kiev's Independence Square before announcing their leaders backed the deal. | |
Ukrainian broadcaster ICTV said it had seen a copy of the agreement, which included three main proposals: | |
Despite the agreement, isolated outbursts of violence were reported in central Kiev on Friday morning. | |
The police said they had traded gunfire with protesters, and Ukrainian media said riot police were patrolling inside parliament during a session. | The police said they had traded gunfire with protesters, and Ukrainian media said riot police were patrolling inside parliament during a session. |
MPs once again began the session with scuffles, as the speaker tried to adjourn a debate about constitutional reform. | |
The protests first erupted in late November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. | The protests first erupted in late November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. |
Mr Yanukovych announced the deal early on Friday, but initially gave no details. | Mr Yanukovych announced the deal early on Friday, but initially gave no details. |
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said there had been an agreement that nobody would publicise the deal until it had been confirmed. | French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said there had been an agreement that nobody would publicise the deal until it had been confirmed. |
However, the president later gave more details and said in a statement that he would initiate the process of constitutional reform and call an early election. | However, the president later gave more details and said in a statement that he would initiate the process of constitutional reform and call an early election. |
The deal came after the bloodiest day since the unrest began. | The deal came after the bloodiest day since the unrest began. |
Police opened fire early on Thursday after protesters tried to push them away from the makeshift camps they have been occupying in central Kiev. | Police opened fire early on Thursday after protesters tried to push them away from the makeshift camps they have been occupying in central Kiev. |
The health ministry said 77 people had been killed since Tuesday, and another 577 were injured. | The health ministry said 77 people had been killed since Tuesday, and another 577 were injured. |
But activists suggested the death toll was likely to be much higher. | But activists suggested the death toll was likely to be much higher. |