Ukraine's opposition leader Mr Victor Yushchenko warned yesterday that the country was "on the brink of civil conflict" as 200,000 supporters jammed the centre of the capital Kiev to protest against disputed presidential election results.
Mr Yushchenko went to parliament and proclaimed himself the rightful president, repeating claims that Sunday's results, giving victory to Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich, were a fraud.
Meanwhile protesters jostled riot police outside the Kiev presidency building where Mr Yanukovich is due to accept office later this week and convoys of troops and police were seen entering the city. The Russian president, Mr Vladimir Putin, who has considerable influence in Ukraine and backs Mr Yanukovich, called on both sides to resolve their differences within the law.
Mr Yushchenko failed in his attempt to get parliament to block the election results because government and Communist Party MPs failed to turn up, robbing the chamber of the necessary quorum it needed to pass a no confidence vote.
Instead, with an estimated 50,000 demonstrators roaring their support outside, Mr Yushchenko warned that there may be violence in the days ahead.
"Ukraine is on the threshold of a civil conflict," he said. "We have two choices. Either the answer will be given by the parliament, or by the streets."
To cheers of lawmakers, he then took a Bible in his right hand and repeated the oath of office of president, claiming victory in Sunday's elections.
About 500 of his supporters pushed through metal gates on the perimeter of the parliament building, but did not try to enter the chamber itself.
Television reports showed convoys of trucks carrying troops and police arriving in barracks around the capital. Armoured personnel carriers loaded with soldiers were also seen being deployed along with several artillery pieces.
Much of the city centre was full of demonstrators with orange banners and flags, the colour of the opposition.
But with the government warning it will not tolerate disorder, opposition leaders are worried about possible violence.
"We are sliding towards the abyss," warned parliamentary speaker Mr Volodymyr Lytvyn. "It is amoral and criminal to pretend nothing is happening in the country."
The United States warned of punitive measures against the government if the election results are allowed to stand, while the European Union labelled the election "fraudulent".
But Mr Putin criticised the decision of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which monitored the elections, for reporting fraud ahead of the final result. "They should be more careful and responsible," he said. Mr Putin on Monday announced the election was fair and congratulated Mr Yanukovich on becoming the new president.
Outgoing president Mr Leonid Kuchma, who picked Mr Yanukovich as his successor, broke a two-day silence yesterday to urge both contenders to meet face-to-face and solve their problems.
Final results have yet to be given, with the central election commission apparently taking its time in finishing the count that shows, with 99.48 per cent of votes counted, that Mr Yanukovich has 49 per cent of the vote beating Mr Yushchenko with 46 per cent.
Following Monday's declaration by Kiev and three other cities that they would recognise only Yushchenko as president, several towns in the pro-government east of the country declared in favour of Yanukovich.
Despite their growing street protests, the opposition appear to have exhausted legal means of challenging the election results: Parliament cannot act unless pro-government MPs attend the chamber, and the Supreme Court seems unwilling to step in and order a recount.
Instead, the opposition leaders are considering calling a general strike to make much of the country ungovernable by the incoming president.
Protesters resolute as police and troops approach Kiev; Kremlin aghast at prospect of West-leaning government: page 12