Ukraine president accepts embattled defence minister's resignation

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accepted on Sunday the resignation of his defence minister who has been under fire over a rout of government forces in the east which led to Kiev calling a ceasefire with pro-Russian separatists.

Poroshenko's website said the president had accepted the offer of resignation from Valery Heletey, 47, whom he appointed only in July. It said Poroshenko hoped to present a new candidate to parliament on Monday to replace Heletey.