Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko speaks after talks in Kiev April 2, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    KIEV, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian president's decree to dissolve parliament went into effect Tuesday after it was published in the country's official gazette, according to the presidential press service.

    Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko signed the decree Monday and called a parliamentary election, to take place on May 27.

    The decree automatically comes into force once it has been published in the gazette.

    Ukraine Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich had urged the president to hold back from publishing the decree amid fears of deepening the country's ongoing political strife.

    Lawmakers from Yanukovich's coalition in parliament have appealed for a ruling by the constitutional court on the legitimacy of the president's order, the Interfax news agency reported.

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Ukrainian president dissolves parliament

    KIEV, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko dissolved the parliament on Monday and called new parliamentary elections for May 27, Russian news agencies reported. Full Story