BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Ukraine power struggle

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A supporter of the Regions Party shout while staging a demonstration in front of the General Prosecutor's office

There have been protests in Kiev against President Viktor Yushchenko's attempt to seize control of the interior ministry's security force.

Ukrainian PM Viktor Yanukovych (left) and the speaker of parliament, Oleksandr Moroz, attend an extraordinary cabinet session

The president's rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, said the move meant the "use of force scenario" had begun.

A Ukrainian woman reads a newspaper near the entrance of the General Prosecutor's office in Kiev, which is being guarded by special police

The row over control of the interior ministry troops came a day after riot police seized the offices of sacked prosecutor general, Svyatoslav Piskun.

Special police force officers secure the prosecutor's building as supporters of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych protest against the dismissal of the country's General Prosecutor by the president

The crisis has been deepening since April, when Mr Yushchenko dissolved parliament and called a snap election.

Supporters of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko shout slogans during a rally at the office of the Prosecutor General

The president's supporters have accused the PM of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority.

Ukrainian policemen stand guard as supporters of the pro-Russian Regions Party rally outside President Viktor Yushchenko's office in Kiev 25 May 2007

The National Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Saturday to try to defuse the crisis, reports say.

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