Ukraine assembly backs president's choice as PM

Yuri Yekhanurov and President Viktor Yushchenko after yesterday's vote. REUTERS/Str.

Yuri Yekhanurov and President Viktor Yushchenko after yesterday's vote. REUTERS/Str.

Ukraine's parliament has backed Yuri Yekhanurov, the candidate of president Viktor Yushchenko, as Ukraine's new prime minister on his second attempt to win approval.

Mr Yekhanurov, a middle-of-the-road politician and longstanding ally of the president, won the support of 289 members of the 450-seat assembly, far more than the required majority of 226.

On Tuesday, he fell short by three votes.

He replaces Yulia Tymoshenko, who stood alongside the president in last year's "Orange Revolution" protests but was sacked in early September after months of infighting.