Poroshenko to be sworn in president of Ukraine

Petro Poroshenko is to be sworn in as president of Ukraine, amid hopes the move could help put an end to a deadly fighting in the east of the country, the BBC reported.

The 48-year-old tycoon has been buoyed by messages of support from the West, after his victory in the 25 May poll.

On Friday, he briefly met Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that meeting could be a start of dialogue.

Kiev accuses Moscow of backing separatists in the east - a claim denied by the Kremlin.

Fighting continued on Friday, with pro-Russian rebels reportedly shooting down a government aircraft near the rebel stronghold of Sloviansk.

An Ukrainian army spokesman told local media the plane was carrying aid supplies, but this cannot be independently verified.

Earlier government forces reportedly launched a tank attack near the town.

Mr Poroshenko is to be inaugurated in the presence of dozens of foreign dignitaries - including US Vice-President Joe Biden - in parliament in the capital Kiev.

Russia will be represented by its ambassador, who had been previously recalled after former President Viktor Yanukovych - seen by many as pro-Russian - was ousted in February.

Mr Poroshenko, the owner of the Roshen chocolates group, is also expected to lay out his programme for ending the current crisis.

He has already promised that his first visit as president would be to the conflict-torn eastern regions.