Five Ukrainian ministers tender resignation

KIEV, Oct 19 (Reuters) Five Ukrainian ministers from President Viktor Yushchenko's Our Ukraine party have tendered their resignations after talks to create a broad ruling coalition failed, a senior party official said today.

Our Ukraine has been trying to forge a governing coalition with their rivals from the Moscow-friendly Regions Party but their talks yielded no results.

Roman Bezsmertny, leader of Our Ukraine's parliamentary faction, told a news conference that the justice, health, culture, youth and interior ministers had tendered their resignation to parliament. Parliament will now have to vote on the issue.

Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk and Defence Minister Anatoly Hrytsenko have said they would remain in their posts. They were appointed by Yushchenko personally and symbolise his pro-Western drive.

REUTERS PB HT1455