Ukraine president says cannot consider proposed PM

KIEV - President Viktor Yushchenko has said he cannot consider a proposal to make his rival from the "Orange Revolution" prime minister as the coalition backing him was formed in violation of Ukraine's constitution.

In an appeal to parliament, Yushchenko said the coalition proposing Viktor Yanukovich as premier had failed to respect procedures when it was created in less than 24 hours last week.

The appeal said any action undertaken by the coalition "including any proposal submitted to the president ... cannot be examined as the rules of the constitution and parliamentary procedures were not observed".

- REUTERS