The Ukrainian parliament reopened for the second day of its emergency session on Wednesday morning.

The first President of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, addressed MPs saying the country was on the brink of civil war. He called on the opposition to take down barricades and said that would be the way to start dialogue.

Parliament then went into recess and is due to reconvene at 1300 CET.

Politicians are due to vote on an amnesty law which would free any protesters detained during the last two months of unrest.

Two draft bills will be presented.

One from the opposition demands the immediate release of all demonstrators detained during the mass protests without any preconditions. It also calls for the prosecution of those who carried out torture, beatings and killings.

The other draft, from the ruling Party of Regions, asks for an amnesty for everyone including riot police.

At least four activists have been confirmed dead by the government; the opposition says more have died.

Earlier Interfax news agency reported that two tanks and two water canons appeared in the government district prior to the meeting in parliament.