MOSCOW, July 14 (IslamOnline.net) - Ukraine’s Muslim Party pledged Tuesday, July 13, full support for Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych in the presidential race, due to kick off on October 31.

The decision was taken in a meeting that brought together 620 members at the party’s headquarters in the city of Donets'k, Ukraine’s private ICTV channel reported.

"The process ran smoothly and we decided that Yanukovych was the prime presidential candidate for the benefit of the Muslim community," said leading party member Sideeq Beiribov.

"Yanukovych will put all Ukrainians on an equal footing and is committed to resolving all social ills."

Beiribov said the premier is also a staunch supporter of the Muslim community in Ukraine.

He cited Yanukovych’s personal intervention to issue construction licenses for mosques in the capital Kiev, overturning the banning of the interior ministry.

Yanukovych also drummed up political support for the establishment of the Islamic cultural center in Kiev with his personal appearance in the opening ceremony.

Incumbent President Leonid Kuchma’s term expires on October 31. Elected in 1994, Kuchma cannot run for a third term in office.

Formed in 1997, the Muslim Party is the only political party representing Muslims who make up 14 percent of Ukraine’s 47 million population.

There are also up to 200 mosques and 20 Islamic centers nationwide, which suffer no restrictions by the Ukrainian authorities.