Ukraine's parliament has narrowly adopted a motion of no-confidence in the government of pro-Moscow Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych -- who is locked in a bitter dispute over the result of the country's presidential election.
In a secret ballot, lawmakers by a handful of votes chose to dismiss the government and replace it with an interim administration. Minutes earlier, the same motion failed in an open vote.
It is unclear if outgoing President Leonid Kuchma will approve the decision as required for it to take effect.
Earlier, Mr. Kuchma suggested holding an entirely new presidential election, rather than repeating the run-off. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Mr. Yanukovych's home area eastern Ukraine set a referendum on autonomy for January ninth.
Officials had declared Mr. Yanukovych the winner of the November 21st run-off, but pro-Western opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko called the election rigged, and sought a new vote. He has filed an appeal to Ukraine's Supreme Court which is already considering the election.
European and Russian mediators are in Kiev for efforts to resolve the crisis.
Information for this report is provided by Reuters, AP and AFP.