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Ukraine rivals in tense stand-off Ukraine rivals in tense stand-off
(30 minutes later)
Ukraine's PM Viktor Yanukovych has called the president's decision to dissolve parliament a "fatal mistake", amid a deepening political crisis.Ukraine's PM Viktor Yanukovych has called the president's decision to dissolve parliament a "fatal mistake", amid a deepening political crisis.
Hundreds of the prime minister's supporters spent the night camping near parliament and thousands are expected to rally in Kiev later on Tuesday.Hundreds of the prime minister's supporters spent the night camping near parliament and thousands are expected to rally in Kiev later on Tuesday.
Pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko on Monday ordered parliament to be dissolved and called a snap election.Pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko on Monday ordered parliament to be dissolved and called a snap election.
The move followed a political stand-off between the two long-term rivals.
Defence Minister Anatoly Hrytsenko has said the army will obey the president.Defence Minister Anatoly Hrytsenko has said the army will obey the president.
Mr Yushchenko's supporters have also been called to demonstrate in the capital, as the stand-off echoes the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept him to power.Mr Yushchenko's supporters have also been called to demonstrate in the capital, as the stand-off echoes the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept him to power.
Plea to constitutional court 'Avoid the worst'
The president's decree to dissolve parliament has come into force, with its publication in the official gazette. It sets 27 May as the date for an early election. The president's decree to dissolve parliament has come into force, setting 27 May as the date for an early election.
It is not only my right, it is my obligation Viktor Yushchenko Profile: Viktor Yushchenko Profile: Viktor YanukovychIt is not only my right, it is my obligation Viktor Yushchenko Profile: Viktor Yushchenko Profile: Viktor Yanukovych
But Mr Yanukovych's supporters in parliament, who favour closer ties with Russia, have urged the constitutional court to rule on whether the president's action was legal. But deputies in parliament continued to work on Tuesday in defiance of the official proclamation, which allies of Mr Yanukovych called "a step towards a coup d'etat".
Parliament, which is dominated by Mr Yanukovych's allies, has voted to continue to work. They said the presidential decree was "a step towards a coup d'etat". Speaking to parliament, Mr Yanukovych urged his rival to help Ukraine avoid civil unrest.
"There is still a chance to avoid the worst. Think once more about the weight of responsibility that will lie on your shoulders if you reject constructive dialogue," he said.
Mr Yanukovych's supporters, who favour closer ties with Russia, have urged Ukraine's constitutional court to rule on whether the president's action was legal.
Shifting alliances
The announcement of the new election followed seven hours of failed talks between Mr Yushchenko and parliamentary leaders.The announcement of the new election followed seven hours of failed talks between Mr Yushchenko and parliamentary leaders.
Mr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority. Ukraine's cabinet held an extraordinary session late on MondayMr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority.
Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides.Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides.
If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change.If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change.
"My actions are dictated by the strict necessity to save the state's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Mr Yushchenko said in his televised address to the nation. "It is not only my right, it is my obligation.""My actions are dictated by the strict necessity to save the state's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Mr Yushchenko said in his televised address to the nation. "It is not only my right, it is my obligation."
And he accused rivals of using an "unconstitutional process" to form a parliamentary majority. "Deliberate efforts are being made in parliament to worsen the political crisis, posing a threat to our country and people," he said.And he accused rivals of using an "unconstitutional process" to form a parliamentary majority. "Deliberate efforts are being made in parliament to worsen the political crisis, posing a threat to our country and people," he said.
Long-standing rivals
Pro-Western opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko celebrated the dissolution in an overnight rally in Kiev with about 200 supporters. She said the president had made a "courageous decision".
Mr Yanukovych said his rival should instead "sit down at the negotiating table" and that a dissolution would "lead to a significant worsening of the situation in the country".
Over the weekend, tens of thousands of supporters of both factions turned out on the streets of Kiev for rival rallies.Over the weekend, tens of thousands of supporters of both factions turned out on the streets of Kiev for rival rallies.
Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych.Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych.
But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed.
 But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed.
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