Moroz??™s authority has been Tuesday challenged in court by pro-Western group lawmakers for violating regulations by unexpectedly defecting to the pro-Russian camp and tilting balances in Parliament.

The defiance of Yushchenko indicates that the pro-Russian coalition, which includes the Regions Party, the Socialists and the Communists, will seek to challenge the president on other issues, such as foreign policy.

The looming clash increasingly leaves Yushchenko with a little room for maneuver but to dismiss the legislature and call the new election.

???I am ready for such a move to resolve the standoff if [the parties] fail to solve the issue in due time,??? Yushchenko said.

Oleh Rybachuk, Yushchenko??™s chief of staff, said the president will receive the right to dismiss Parliament on July 25 as by that time ???the government will probably not be formed.???

Rybachuk said the dissolution of Parliament is ???the last tool of the president,??? but ???he will not do so if there is even a little chance for Parliament to find a compromise.???

Analysts said nominating Yuriy Yekhanurov, one of Our Ukraine leaders and one of Yushchenko??™s top allies, as the prime minister in the new government would probably alleviate the standoff. But the idea has been vehemently rejected by the Regions Party.

With the gap growing between positions of the Regions Party and Our Ukraine, the dissolution of Parliament probably remains the only option to end the standoff, analysts said. (tl/ez)