Yushchenko claims Ukraine victory

Ukraine opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has claimed victory in the re-run of the presidential election, as early results indicate a clear lead. With 80% of the votes counted, Mr Yushchenko is 14 points ahead of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. He hailed a new era in Ukraine but the results could be challenged. The original vote, won by Mr Yanukovych last month, was annulled due to fraud. Sunday's re-run was monitored by 12,000 international observers. At about 0000 GMT, Mr Yushchenko declared: "I want to say this is a victory of the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian nation. We were independent for 14 years, today we became free. "Today, in Ukraine, a new political year has begun. This is the beginning of a new epoch, the beginning of a new great democracy."