Lobbyist confirmed as Ukraine PM

The Ukrainian parliament has approved a business lobbyist, Anatoliy Kinakh, as the new prime minister.

Mr Kinakh, who heads the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, was the nominee of President Leonid Kuchma.

He replaces the reformist premier, Viktor Yushchenko, was ousted from office last month, in a no-confidence motion, sponsored by the Communist party - the largest grouping in parliament.

A BBC correspondent in Kiev says Mr Kinakh is a compromise candidate with a talent for making friends across the ideological spectrum.

He has promised to continue market reforms and promote Ukraine's integration in Europe but also indicated he may accommodate some Communist demands and possibly include Communist MPs in his cabinet.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service