ODESSA, February 27. /ITAR-TASS/. A meeting of the Odessa city council has begun this Thursday amid demonstrations of supporters and opponents of new Ukrainian leaders. Supporters demand to call early elections to the city administration, the others urge to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation in the city and revise results of the recent privatization of municipal facilities.

The demonstrations are peaceful and under control of police and volunteer squads formed to assist police.

On February 23, the Ukrainian Supreme Rada registered draft laws to hold, together with presidential elections on May 25, elections of an Odessa city head and deputies to the city and regional councils. The draft laws were initiated by a group of deputies, including former Odessa mayor Eduard Gurvits who represents the UDAR party.

Acting Mayor Oleg Bryndak told reporters on Thursday that he saw no reasons for his resignation. "I reside in an ordinary flat in a multistoried building. I am not ashamed to look at people's eyes," he said. According to him, he will not run for mayoral elections.