President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine has ordered a national referendum to try to resolve a dispute in which he accuses the national parliament of blocking economic reform.

Mr Kuchma said the three-million people required by law had signed petitions calling for a plebiscite.

His announcement comes despite a decision by the Ukrainian parliament in recent days banning all referendums until new laws are passed to clarify their legal status.

Mr Kuchma's decree calling the referendum says voters will be asked six questions, including whether they have confidence in parliament and whether the president should be allowed to dissolve the house if the electorate indicate by referendum that they have no confidence in it.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service