Ukrainian parliament approves new cabinet

KIEV - The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday approved a cabinet led by new Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk.

The new interim government, which has gathered well-known politicians and prominent figures of the recent anti-government protests, was supported by 331 lawmakers of the 411 present in the parliament with at least 226 votes needed.

Earlier in the day, 358 legislators supported the bill to dismiss the former government.

The parliament named the lawmaker from the  "Fatherland Party" , Vitaly Yarema, to be the first deputy prime minister.

Meanwhile, far-right politician Alexandr Such and businessman Vladimir Groysman were appointed as deputy prime ministers.

Earlier in the day, Yatsenyuk said that the main task for his government is to lift Ukraine's economy, preserve the territorial integrity of the state and follow the course towards European integration.

Describing the members of the new cabinet as "political kamikaze", Yatsenyuk said that his government has to make unpopular decisions, which would displease many Ukrainians in the short term.