Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko Tuesday signed a decree to set early parliamentary elections for Sept. 30, wrapping up a months-long political crisis that came close to turning violent.

According to the decree, a newly-installed 15-member Central Election Commission will be responsible for election preparations, as well as for ensuring the smooth proceedings of election campaigns which are expected to begin 60 days before the poll.

The cabinet will offer funds for the poll, for which the country's parliament has already allocated 365 million hryvnias (about US$73 million).

Ukraine's political turmoil began in April when Yushchenko signed decrees to dissolve parliament and call for early elections. Yanukovich rejected the act, saying it was unconstitutional.

Tension escalated after Yushchenko sacked several judges of the constitutional court when they began legal proceedings on the legitimacy of the presidential order to dissolve parliament.

Later on, Yushchenko claimed direct command of the Interior Ministry troops, a gesture heavily criticized by supporters of Yanukovich as "anti-constitutional."

On May 27, Yushchenko and Yanukovich agreed to hold early elections after a one-day meeting.

( Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2007)