Tymoshenko confirmed as Ukraine PM

KIEV, Ukraine, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The Ukrainian Parliament Friday confirmed Yulia Tymoshenko as prime minister, Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.

Tymnoshenko is strongly distrusted by Russia because of her strong free market and Ukrainian nationalist statements. However, she was President Viktor Yushchenko's key campaign ally and in Ukraine's democratic "Orange Revolution."

Yushchenko is also cooperating closely with another key ally. He and Socialist leader Oleksandr Moroz have agreed on the nominations of Socialist Party members to governmental positions, Interfax-Ukraine said.

With Moroz's and Tymoshenko's support ensured, Yushchenko can now launch his ambitious reform program with the political coalition that supported him in the election.