Former Ukrainian President Says Country is On 'Brink of Civil War'

Prime minister and cabinet resigned yesterday

Ukraine's first post-independence president has warned the country is on the "brink of civil war" as parliament debates an amnesty for protesters.

Leonid Kravchuk, president from 1991 to 1994, opened the debate in parliament by urging everyone involved to "act with the greatest responsibility".

President Viktor Yanukovych wants any amnesty conditional on demonstrators leaving official buildings.

The opposition has so far ruled this out and is demanding early elections.