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Ukraine crisis: President's Kiev offices abandoned Ukraine crisis: President's Kiev offices abandoned
(35 minutes later)
Ukrainian protesters have been able to enter the president's official and residential buildings in Kiev, after they were abandoned by police.Ukrainian protesters have been able to enter the president's official and residential buildings in Kiev, after they were abandoned by police.
They have not gone into the offices themselves - stationing their own guards outside entrances. Police say they support the people. They have stationed guards outside the entrances to offices, while the interior ministry has said in a statement that it supports the people.
President Viktor Yanukovych's aides say he is in Kharkhiv, close to Russia.President Viktor Yanukovych's aides say he is in Kharkhiv, close to Russia.
They have called for elections before 25 May, not the end of December as envisaged in Friday's peace deal. The opposition have called for elections before 25 May, earlier than envisaged in Friday's peace deal.
Despite the EU-mediated agreement, thousands of people have remained on the streets of Kiev.Despite the EU-mediated agreement, thousands of people have remained on the streets of Kiev.
As parliament met on Saturday morning, its speaker Volodymyr Rybak resigned, citing ill health.As parliament met on Saturday morning, its speaker Volodymyr Rybak resigned, citing ill health.
He has been replaced by Oleksandr Turchynov, an ally of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.He has been replaced by Oleksandr Turchynov, an ally of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
Another Tymoshenko ally, Arsen Avakov, has been appointed interim interior minister. He replaces Vitaly Zakharchenko, who was sacked on Friday after being blamed for the deaths of civilians in last week's crackdown on protests.
Vitaly Klitschko, leader of the opposition Udar party, told MPs: "We must, as the people demand, adopt a resolution calling on Yanukovych to immediately resign."Vitaly Klitschko, leader of the opposition Udar party, told MPs: "We must, as the people demand, adopt a resolution calling on Yanukovych to immediately resign."
Presidential aide Hanna Herman said Mr Yanukovych had travelled to Kharkiv in the east, close to the Russian border, from where he was to give a televised address.Presidential aide Hanna Herman said Mr Yanukovych had travelled to Kharkiv in the east, close to the Russian border, from where he was to give a televised address.
A gathering of deputies from the south-east and Crimea - traditionally Russian-leaning areas - is taking place there, but Ms Herman said the president had "no intention" of attending. A gathering of deputies from the south-east and Crimea - traditionally Russian-leaning areas - is taking place there, but Ms Herman said the president had "no intention" of attending, nor of leaving the country.
"As much as some people want it, he has no intention to leave the country," she said.
'He's not here''He's not here'
The protests first erupted in late November when Mr 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 Mr Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
On Thursday, police opened fire on protesters who have been occupying Independence Square in central Kiev. The health ministry said 77 people - both protesters and police - have been killed since Tuesday. On Thursday, in the worst violence since the unrest began, police opened fire on protesters who have been occupying Independence Square in central Kiev. The health ministry says 77 people - both protesters and police - have been killed since Tuesday.
For a second day, funerals are being held in the square.For a second day, funerals are being held in the square.
Our correspondent says there is no sign of security forces inside the previously heavily guarded presidential complex and that journalists and protesters were able to enter freely. The BBC's Kevin Bishop in Kiev says journalists and protesters were able to enter freely the previously heavily guarded presidential complex on Saturday morning.
The protesters have not entered the offices themselves. They said they were protecting the buildings from looting and vandalism.
"He's not here, none of his officials or anyone linked directly to the administration are here," said Ostap Kryvdyk, a protest leader, referring to the president."He's not here, none of his officials or anyone linked directly to the administration are here," said Ostap Kryvdyk, a protest leader, referring to the president.
The protesters said they were protecting the buildings from looting and vandalism.
Correspondents say police appear to have abandoned posts across the city, while the numbers gathered in Independence Square - known as the Maidan - are growing.Correspondents say police appear to have abandoned posts across the city, while the numbers gathered in Independence Square - known as the Maidan - are growing.
Hundreds of people have also entered the grounds of the president's official residence, the Mezhyhirya, about 15km (10 miles) north of the city centre.
In a statement, the interior ministry said the police force was "at the service of the people and completely shares its aspirations for rapid changes".In a statement, the interior ministry said the police force was "at the service of the people and completely shares its aspirations for rapid changes".
"We pay homage to the dead," it added."We pay homage to the dead," it added.
Leaders booed
The political pact was signed on Friday by President Yanukovych and opposition leaders after mediation by EU foreign ministers.The political pact was signed on Friday by President Yanukovych and opposition leaders after mediation by EU foreign ministers.
It says a unity government will be formed and elections held by the end of the year, but the opposition say this is not soon enough. It restores the 2004 constitution - which reduces the powers of the presidency - and says a unity government will be formed and elections held by the end of the year.
The deal has been met with scepticism by some of the thousands of protesters who remain in the square. Opposition leaders who signed it were booed and called traitors.The deal has been met with scepticism by some of the thousands of protesters who remain in the square. Opposition leaders who signed it were booed and called traitors.
The agreement, published by the German foreign ministry, includes the following:
The US and Russian presidents have agreed that the deal needs to be swiftly implemented, officials say.The US and Russian presidents have agreed that the deal needs to be swiftly implemented, officials say.
Russia's Vladimir Putin told Barack Obama in a telephone conversation on Friday that Russia wants to be part of the implementation process, a US State Department spokesperson said.Russia's Vladimir Putin told Barack Obama in a telephone conversation on Friday that Russia wants to be part of the implementation process, a US State Department spokesperson said.
Shortly after the deal was signed, Ukraine's parliament approved the restoration of the 2004 constitution, which reduces the powers of the president.Shortly after the deal was signed, Ukraine's parliament approved the restoration of the 2004 constitution, which reduces the powers of the president.
All but one of the 387 MPs present voting in favour, including dozens of MPs from Mr Yanukovych's own Party of Regions.All but one of the 387 MPs present voting in favour, including dozens of MPs from Mr Yanukovych's own Party of Regions.
Parliament also approved an amnesty for protesters accused of involvement in violence, and for a change in the law which could lead to the release for Mrs Tymoshenko.Parliament also approved an amnesty for protesters accused of involvement in violence, and for a change in the law which could lead to the release for Mrs Tymoshenko.
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