Ukrainian government survives no-confidence vote

Ukraine's government survived a no-confidence vote Tuesday after the prime minister apologised for a police crackdown on protests, while demonstrators massed outside parliament protesting the ex-Soviet state's rejection of a historic EU pact. "On behalf of our government, I would like to apologise for the actions of our law enforcement authorities" who, on the weekend, fired smoke bombs and stun grenades in clashes with demonstrators in the capital, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said. "I can guarantee lawmakers one thing -- I will draw firm conclusions from what happened and make serious personnel changes in the government," he told the chamber, speaking in Russian. Outside the building, some 5,000 protesters rallied, calling for the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych amid a heavy presence of riot police.