Fighting broke out on Tuesday and smoke bombs were thrown during a session in Ukraine's parliament over a deal with Russia extending the lease of a key naval base, an AFP correspondent reported. It has also been reported that thousands of people have protested outside the Ukrainean parliament building over a Russia fleet accord.
Scuffles inside the building broke out after eggs were thrown at the speaker, Volodymr Lytvyn, who then took cover behind two black umbrellas.
A smoke bomb was then thrown from an unknown source and the chamber filled with smoke, making it difficult to watch proceedings. Some deputies covered their noses as alarms sounded. A second smoke bomb was thrown shortly afterwards, filling the chamber with more smoke as deputies nonetheless continued their rancorous debate.
The deputies in the notoriously fractious parliament were takingn part in a session that was to debate a controversial deal last week to extend the lease on Russia's Black Sea Fleet naval base in Ukraine until 2042. It has been reported that the deal has been ratified in the last few moments.
