Ukrainian parliament dismisses defense minister

Ukraine's parliament on Friday dismissed the defense minister, a close ally of President Viktor Yushchenko, after his main rival, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, accused his ministry of corruption.

A total of 363 deputies, far more than the 226 required, voted to sack Yuri Yekhanurov, one of Yushchenko's few remaining stalwart allies in public office. Under Ukraine's constitution, the president nominates the defense and foreign ministers. (Reuters)