Ukraine's parliament has opened an emergency session to debate the country's disputed presidential runoff election.
Lawmakers meeting Saturday do not have the power to overturn last Sunday's vote. But their evaluation of the situation could influence the Supreme Court when it meets on Monday to consider reports by the opposition and international monitors of widespread election fraud.
Also due to meet Saturday, is a multilateral committee tasked with resolving the political stalemate. It comprises representatives of both candidates - opposition challenger Viktor Yushchenko, and Moscow-backed Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.
Late Friday, Mr. Yushchenko called for fresh elections on December 12 as he addressed thousands of supporters who have been demonstrating in Kiev since Sunday. Disputed official results indicate the pro-Western politician narrowly lost the runoff.