Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich denied Tuesday that he supported use of force against pro-Western opposition demonstrators, but accused them of staging an illegal coup.

"This information is false. We were not talking about using force but only about establishing order," Yanukovich told his supporters in the Crimea.

But he also accused the protesters of launching an illegal coup. "This whole spectacle can simply be called an unconstitutional coup," Yanukovich said.

Britain's Financial Times quoted Ukrainian administration and other sources as reporting that Yanukovich lobbied outgoing President Leonid Kuchma to send in forces after demonstrators raged about widespread voting fraud blockaded his and other offices.

The newspaper said Kuchma resisted the pressure because he feared for his reputation and did not want to leave office with blood on his hands.

Ukraine was plunged into a political turmoil after both pro-Moscow Yanukovych and opposition rival Viktor Yushchenko claimed victory in the presidential run-off on Nov. 21.

The Supreme Court later annulled official results with Yanukovych being the winner on the ground that the poll was rigged in Yanukovych's favor. A re-run was scheduled for Dec. 26.

Ukraine's presidential poll became internationalized as the choice between pro-Moscow Yanukovych and pro-West Yushchenko could shape the former Soviet republic's political future.

Western media are interested in the alleged dioxin poisoning of Yushchenko while Russians are talking about possible US financing of Yushchenko's campaign.

Source: Xinhua