Kiev - Ukraine's parliament on Wednesday voted to sack the government of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich to help end a political crisis triggered by his contested election last month as president.
In parliament, 229 deputies, three more than required, voted in favour of sacking Yanukovich, declared winner in the November 21 election, denounced by opposition rival Viktor Yushchenko as being tainted by fraud.
Deputies also voted to create an interim "government of national trust".
"This is a victory not only for the opposition, but for the entire Ukrainian people," said opposition deputy Roman Zvarych.
The dramatic vote, conducted by secret ballot to ensure deputies felt under no pressure, followed a torrid debate in the chamber, with tens of thousands of Yushchenko's supporters massed outside in wintry weather.
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A vote minutes earlier to dismiss Yanukovich's government fell scant votes short.
The opposition sees the dismissal of Yanukovich as a key step in resolving the deadlock over the election, which has brought vast crowds of demonstrators into the streets and hurt the ex-Soviet state's economy.
Yuschchenko has also submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court, now considering for the third straight day his proposal to declare the election invalid and hold a new vote.
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