Eleven political parties in Ukraine have united to form a centre-right coalition which correspondents say could end years of left wing government control.

The new alliance, which brings together over half of Ukraine's parliamentary deputies, was formed after threats from President Leonid Kuchma to replace the chamber with a bicameral body if it failed to deliver a pro-reform majority.

Mr Kuchma won re-election in November with a pledge to speed up Ukraine's reform policies.

The Parliament had threatened to block some proposals, including the privatisation of state industries.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service