国际英语新闻：Ukrainian president calls for new coalition to be formed as soon as possible

KIEV, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Wednesday urged all political factions in parliament to form a new ruling coalition as soon as possible in order to avoid snap parliamentary elections.

"I would like you to reach agreement among yourselves within the next few days to set up a coalition that would propose candidates for prime minister and the government. Find the political will and reach an agreement. We must overcome the crisis of government and move on. The public and our international partners are waiting for this," the presidential press service quoted Yanukovych as saying at a meeting with all faction leaders in parliament.

He pointed out that coalition talks should start on Wednesday.

Ukrainian parliament speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn announced on Tuesday that Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's ruling coalition had collapsed after losing its majority in the parliament.

Tymoshenko's government came to an end Wednesday when Ukraine's parliament passed a non-confidence vote.

The motion, put forward by the Party of Regions, was supported by 243 lawmakers in the 450-member assembly, 17 more than the 50 percent plus one needed to oust Tymoshenko's government.

Under Ukraine's constitution, political leaders have 30 days to form a new coalition. If they fail, Yanukovych can exercise his right to dissolve the parliament and call early elections.