A power struggle inside the government in Ukraine has brought thousands of demonstrators out on to the streets in the capital, Kiev.
A power struggle inside the government in Ukraine has brought tens of thousands of demonstrators out on to the streets in the capital, Kiev.
Rival supporters of the two main opposing political factions are defying a court order and gathering for big rallies in the centre of the city.
Amid a sea of flags, rival supporters - some supporting the president, others the PM - gathered in the city centre, defying a court order banning protests.
The pro-Western President, Viktor Yushchenko, has threatened a snap election to end political deadlock.
Pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko has threatened to dissolve parliament and call new elections.
The move is being resisted by the pro-Russian governing coalition.
The pro-Russian governing coalition led by Viktor Yanukovych resists the move.
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More than 10,0000 people have been attending the rally in support of Mr Yanukovych, who says the president should back down.
There is a sea of blue, red and Ukrainian flags here in the capital, the BBC's Helen Fawkes reports from Kiev.
Just a short distance away were the orange flags of presidential supporters whose rally began later, just where the Orange Revolution took place, says the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Kiev.
More than 10,0000 people are already attending the rally in support of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, and are demanding the president back down from his threat to dissolve parliament.
They are demanding an early election, claiming that power is being usurped from the president illegally by the ruling coalition.
Just a short distance away, are orange flags of presidential supporters whose rally is due to begin in a few hours' time.
This political crisis is one of the most serious ever faced in Ukraine, with both sides determined to get their way even if it means more protests, our correspondent adds.
They are demanding the early election, claiming that power is being usurped from the president illegally by the ruling coalition.
"It is not the best way to make revolution, twice, but today's situation... cannot be resolved without revolution; today's government is not the voice of the people, it only wants to make some profit," one Yushchenko supporter told the BBC.
This political crisis is one of the most serious ever faced in Ukraine, our correspondent says.
The rival rallies went ahead even though a court had banned protests in the capital.
Tensions are running high and there are fears there may be violent clashes.
With thousands of supporters on the streets there are now fears of violent clashes.
Bitter rivals
Bitter rivals
Mr Yushchenko defeated Mr Yanukovych in the presidential election of January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution.
Mr Yushchenko defeated Mr Yanukovych in the presidential election of January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution.
However he was forced to accept him as the head of government after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election.
But he was forced to accept him as the head of government after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election.
On Saturday, he accused Mr Yanukovych of seeking to usurp power by trying to win pro-Western MPs over to his coalition and opposing his pro-Western policies.
On Saturday, he accused Mr Yanukovych of seeking to usurp power by trying to win pro-Western MPs over to his coalition and opposing his pro-Western policies.
"I want to say that unless the majority resumes its work on the basis of the constitution, I will sign a decree disbanding parliament," he told a meeting of his political party to loud applause.
"I want to say that unless the majority resumes its work on the basis of the constitution, I will sign a decree disbanding parliament," he told a meeting of his political party to loud applause.
He further accused the coalition of lacking "political will and desire to support stability".
He further accused the coalition of lacking the "political will and desire to support stability".
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