Ukraine's outgoing President Leonid Kuchma has announced the creation of a multilateral working group to resolve the Ukrainian election dispute.
Mr. Kuchma Friday said the two candidates, Kremlin-backed Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, agreed to the idea at a meeting with European and Russian envoys held to discuss the country's political crisis. The mediators included Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Russia's parliamentary speaker Boris Gryzlov.
Mr. Kuchma said both candidates have agreed to "stand against any use of force" to resolve the crisis. He said the working group would begin its task immediately.
Tens of thousands of opposition protesters continue blocking access to government offices in the city, as miners backing Mr. Yanukovych pour into Kiev.
Ukraine's parliament will meet Saturday in special session to consider the crisis.
International observers say the election was seriously flawed by widespread election fraud.