Ukraine leader accuses opponents of attempting constitutional coup

Kiev: Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on Wednesday accused his opponents of attempting a constitutional coup.

Ukraine's long-troubled government is on the verge of collapse after his allies in parliament pulled out of the ruling coalition with his Our Ukraine party.

Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's party also joined the opposition in passing a law Tuesday curbing presidential powers and boosting those of the premier.

Yushchenko said in a live national broadcast on Wednesday that the move a day earlier amounts to "a political and constitutional coup."

He says a new governing coalition should be formed.

"If ... a coalition of factions is not created, I will use my right to dimiss parliament and announce early elections," Yushcenko said.