Ukraine PM asks to drop legal challenge

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has asked to withdraw her legal case challenging the election of President-elect Viktor Yanukovich, a court official said today.

"Tymoshenko is asking to withdraw the suit. Judges are meeting to consider this," the court official said.

Court sources said Tymoshenko appeared to be basing her action on the court's refusal to fully investigate all her claims of fraudulence and it was not immediately clear if this was an end to her legal challenge or not.

The charismatic 49-year-old Tymoshenko launched her challenge against the election of Yanukovich who beat her in a runoff on 7 February, alleging widespread fraud by the rival camp.

Yanukovich, who is due to be sworn into office on 25 February, has denied any vote-rigging by his side.

Tymoshenko is pressing for a new presidential vote as took place in the 2004 "Orange Revolution" which ended with President Viktor Yushchenko being elected.