Ukraine's Supreme Court has halted official publication of the results of the December 26 presidential election.

The high court announced Tuesday it must first review an appeal from former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, who officials say lost the race to opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko.

The results must be printed in two government newspapers before the winner can be inaugurated.

Election officials say Mr. Yushchenko garnered 52 percent support in the court-ordered repeat election, over Mr. Yanukovych's 44 percent.

The former prime minister is alleging widespread fraud in the hotly contested race, and has filed a number of complaints with the Supreme Court and electoral officials.

The December election replaced a November run-off that the high court said was rigged in favor of Mr. Yanukovych.

Top officials with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have congratulated Mr. Yushchenko on the election.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.