Govt loyalists in Kyiv preparing to counter opposition protestors
KYIV. Feb 18 (Interfax) - Participants in a pro-government rally being held on Tuesday under the Party of Regions banner in front of the parliament building are gathering strength to offer resistance to aggressive opposition protestors in central Kyiv.
Men wearing helmets and holding sticks have approached the engagement line between the interior troops and protestors. They are digging up paving stones and carrying them on blankets nearer to the scene of likely clashes, an Interfax correspondent reported.
White and red arm bands are worn to identify government loyalists.
Obstacles are being removed from the frontline, including tents. A tent caught fire and burnt down an hour ago, but is still smoldering.
A Party of Regions rally is continuing near the parliament building with demonstrators chanting: "Stop Nationalism and Fascism!" "Support Viktor Yanukovych!"
The government district is filled with the smoke of burnt car tires coming from the crossing between Hrushevsky Street and European Square.
Meanwhile, riot policemen of the Berkut special police force started pushing protestors out of Lipska Street, where the Party of Regions' office is headquartered.
Demonstrators have reached the intersection of the Lipska and Instytutska streets, an Interfax correspondent reported. Maidan self-defense activists are at the vanguard and their numbers keep increasing. They have formed a cordon opposite the monument to Manuilsky.
Riot policemen have cordoned off Lipska Street near the Party of Regions office.
Reports said earlier that protesters broke into the Party of Regions office on Lipska Street and entered the courtyard. They also pulled down the metal fence, torched a car and seized files with documents from the staff.
About 20 women left the building. Only men remain inside.