Ukraine MPs reject new minister

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Parliament in Ukraine has again rejected the pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko's nominee for the post of foreign minister.

It was the third time President Yushchenko had tried to have Volodymyr Ohryzko accepted.

Mr Yushchenko has clashed with MPs ever since the more Russia-friendly supporters of his rival, PM Viktor Yanukovych, formed the government.

Mr Ohryzko has been acting foreign minister since 30 January.

That was when his predecessor Borys Tarasiuk , another ally of Mr Yushchenko, resigned after a long power struggle with Mr Yanukovych.

Mr Yanukovych had called for Mr Tarasiuk's dismissal in November after a dispute between them over foreign policy.

Under Ukraine's constitution, Mr Yushchenko is entitled to appoint the foreign minister.