Armenia Prime Minister Takes To The Streets To Denounce 'coup Attempt'
Muhammad Irfan Published February 25, 2021 | 11:00 PM
Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused the military of an attempted coup and brought supporters to the streets on Thursday, as months of tensions over its defeat in last year's war with Azerbaijan came to a head
Yerevan, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Feb, 2021 ):Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused the military of an attempted coup and brought supporters to the streets on Thursday, as months of tensions over its defeat in last year's war with Azerbaijan came to a head.
Thousands marched through the streets of the capital Yerevan in support of Pashinyan, with the opposition urging him to step down to avoid bloodshed or even civil war.
President Armen Sarkisian, whose role is largely symbolic, said he was taking urgent steps to try to defuse the crisis, calling on all involved to "show restraint and common sense." Under pressure for his handling of the conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, Pashinyan has ignored repeated calls to resign for losing swathes of territory to Azerbaijan in the war.
After largely backing the prime minister for months, the military's general staff on Thursday joined calls for him to step down, saying in a statement that he and his cabinet "are not capable of taking adequate decisions".
Pashinyan hit back with an accusation that top brass were mounting an "attempted military coup" and fired the chief of the general staff Onik Gasparyan.
Hundreds of supporters then joined Pashinyan to march through central Yerevan, chanting "Nikol Prime Minister!" Speaking to supporters through a megaphone, Pashinyan called for calm, as dozens of police deployed outside the main government offices.
"The situation is tense, but we must agree that there cannot be clashes," said Pashinyan, who was joined at the march by his wife, daughters, ministers and security detail.
He said the situation in the country was under control and that the military's call had been an "emotional reaction" to his firing the previous day of the deputy chief of the general staff Tigran Khachatryan.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
24 minutes ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
34 minutes ago -
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
48 minutes ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
48 minutes ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
1 hour ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
1 hour ago
-
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
1 hour ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
2 hours ago -
Portugal marks 50 years of democracy with far right on the rise
2 hours ago -
Oman, UAE deluge 'most likely' linked to climate change: scientists
3 hours ago -
BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
3 hours ago -
Saudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
3 hours ago