KIEV, July 4 - President Viktor Yanukovych on Thursday appointed his long-time ally Olena Lukash as the new justice minister, replacing Oleksandr Lavrynovych at the post.

The reshuffle comes a day after Lavrynovych, also a long-time Yanukovych loyalist, was elected by Parliament to the Supreme Council of Justice, a top body that is crucial in appointing and dismissing judges in Ukraine.