Ukraine parliament fills with smoke as members throw eggs

Fighting has broken out and smoke bombs been thrown inside Ukraine's parliament amid massive public protests in Kiev. Thousands furious at a recent naval deal with neighbours Russia stormed the capital's streets, blocking roads and setting up tents around the Verkhovna Rada building.

Clashes then erupted inside after the parliament's speaker was egged from an unknown assailant during a session ratifying the controversial deal. Volodymr Lytvyn took cover behind two black umbrellas after the pelting, before smoke from two hurled bombs billowed inside the chamber.



Parliament cameras showed representatives punching, shoving and pulling each others' hair as the white haze descended. A scramble then emerged for ownership of a giant yellow and blue national flag in the middle of the room as alarms sounded.

Remarkably, order in the notoriously fractious parliament was restored, although some disquiet could still be heard.