Russian SVR Spy Chief Naryshkin Visits Armenia Three Days After CIA Director Burns Did

Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, meets with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on July 18.

RFE: Russian Spy Chief Visits Armenia Three Days After CIA Director 

The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in Yerevan on July 18, three days after CIA Director William Burns made an unexpected visit to Armenia. 

The Armenian government's press office said Sergei Naryshkin discussed "international and regional security" and the "processes taking place in the South Caucasus" with Pashinian. It did not elaborate. 

The office used the same words in a statement on Pashinian's meeting with Burns on July 15. It said they also touched upon "the fight against terrorism." 

Neither the CIA nor the U.S. State Department has commented on what was the first-ever publicized visit to Armenia by a CIA director.  

Read more ....  

Update: Russian Spy Chief Meets Armenian PM Days After CIA Chief Burns Did (Reuters)  

WNU Editor: Details on CIA Director Burns visit to Armenia is here .... CIA Director Meets With Armenian Prime Minister, Security Council Secretary In Yerevan (RFE). 

I do not believe in coincidences. The odds of CIA Director Burns and the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin being in the same city meeting the same people all within a few days are next to impossible. 

One has to wonder if Armenia is being used as a back-channel by the U.S. and Russia? Hmmm .... my gut says yes.

Armenian PM Claims Post-War Election Victory. Opposition Allege Fraud

 

The Guardian/AFP: Armenian PM claims victory in snap election as rival alleges fraud 

 Opposition says it will not recognise Nikol Pashinyan’s quick claim to victory, which came when just 30% of precincts had been counted Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan has claimed victory in a snap parliamentary election he called in an effort to defuse a political crisis after last year’s disastrous war with Azerbaijan. 

But the electoral alliance of his top rival, former president Robert Kocharyan, swiftly contested the vote results and alleged election fraud. 

The vote has been seen as a two-horse race, with both Pashinyan, 46, and Kocharyan, 66, drawing massive crowds in the run-up to the polls. Preliminary results from Sunday’s polls showed Pashinyan’s party leading with 57% of the vote, far ahead of Kocharyan’s alliance with 19%.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The turnout was around 50%. 

More News On Today's Parliamentary Elections In Armenia  

Armenian PM’s party far ahead with partial election results -- AP  

Armenian PM claims post-war election victory -- BBC  

Armenia's Pashinian Claims Victory In Vote Rejected By Main Opposition -- RFE  

Armenian PM party far ahead in early votes -- AAP Armenia PM Pashinyan leads in initial election results -- DW 

Embattled Armenian leader Pashinyan declares his party’s victory in snap elections after early results show heavy lead -- RT  

Armenia PM claims early victory in snap polls -- The National

Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan Says Military’s Demand That He Resign Is ‘An Attempted Coup’

 

France 24: Armenian PM Pashinyan calls military’s demand he resign ‘an attempted coup’ 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday addressed thousands of allies who answered his call to rally in the capital Yerevan in a show of support after the military called for his resignation. 

Pashinyan told the army to do its job and defend the country, and said that Armenians would not allow a military coup to take place. 

He said the question of his resignation could only be decided by the people. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The Prime minister has fired the military chief .... Armenia’s Army chief to be dismissed (Armenia Public Radio). The Armenian General staff have responded .... Armenian general staff doubles down on call to PM, government to quit (TASS). 

 More News On the Crisis In Armenia 

Armenian prime minister accuses military of attempted coup -- The Guardian 

Armenian leader says he's facing "coup attempt" amid rage over "painful" deal to end war with Azerbaijan -- CBS 

Armenian PM faces military's demand to resign, talks of coup -- FOX News 

Armenian armed forces demand resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan -- ABC News (Australia) 

Armenia’s Armed Forces demand prime minister and government resign -- TASS

Armenian PM marches through capital, warns of 'coup' -- DW 

Armenian PM Pashinyan says army demand for his resignation amounts to ‘attempted coup’ & calls on supporters to rally in capital -- RT 

Thousands rally in Armenia after PM warns of coup attempt -- Reuters 

Rival Protests In Yerevan After 'Attempted Coup' -- RFE 

Kremlin following developments in Armenia with concern -- TASS

Armenians Erupt in Fury Over Defeat in War With Azerbaijan

 

CBC: Armenians vent fury at West after truce in bloody war in Nagorno-Karabakh 

Filmmaker Vardan Hovahnnisyan spent 25 of the last 40 days of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh on the front lines, coming under fire from drones and artillery as he sought to keep the world informed about the human cost of the conflict in this Armenian enclave of Azerbaijan. 

Day after day, Hovahnnisyan and his film crews ducked into basements to stay safe, returning above ground to visit the Armenian trenches or travel with soldiers cataloguing the course of the war. Many of the images the world has seen from the Armenian side of the conflict were captured by Hovahnnisyan and his team, including video commissioned by CBC News. 

The number of soldiers and civilians killed is still unclear, but Russian estimates put the toll from both sides at more than 5,000. 

Exhausted and emotionally devastated, Hovahnnisyan said he returned to his home in the Armenian capital of Yerevan three days ago knowing that his country was losing and that the end was not far off.

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The Armenians were on the brink of a military disaster in Nagorno-Karabakh. They had no choice. 

 More News On Armenians Erupting in Fury Over Defeat in War With Azerbaijan 

'Nikol is a traitor': Armenia PM refuses to yield to opposition after Nagorno-Karabakh deal -- The Guardian 

Armenians call Nagorno-Karabakh cease-fire a 'capitulation' -- DW 

Armenians Erupt in Fury Over Defeat in War With Azerbaijan -- New York Times

Acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s Alliance Wins By A Landslide In Parliamentary Elections

BBC: Armenia election: PM Nikol Pashinyan wins by landslide

Armenia's acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has won a convincing victory in Sunday's snap parliamentary election, consolidating his authority.

His bloc won more than 70% of the vote, the country's election commission said.

A journalist turned politician, Mr Pashinyan spearheaded a peaceful revolution in April.

He now has a parliamentary majority to push through his programme of tackling corruption and reforming the economy. Poll turnout was low, at about 49%.

Historically, Armenia's elections have been marred by fraud and vote-buying.

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WNU Editor: Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s alliance captured more than 70 per cent of the vote scoreing (in my book) a landslide victory in Armenia’s snap parliamentary elections.

More News On Armenia's Parliamentary Elections

Armenian PM’s bloc wins majority in parliamentary vote -- AP
Armenia election: reformist PM Nikol Pashinian wins convincing victory -- The Guardian/Reuters
Armenia PM's bloc wins by landslide in parliamentary elections -- France 24
Armenia PM Nikol Pashinian's alliance wins by landslide -- DW
Armenia polls: PM Nikol Pashinyan's bloc wins by landslide -- Al Jazeera
Armenian citizens vote for "revolutionary majority", says acting PM -- TASS
Pashinian Alliance Scores 'Revolutionary Majority' In Landslide Armenian Win -- RFE
Monitors Hail Armenian Vote, Call For Further Electoral Reforms -- RFE
Parliamentary election in Armenia respected fundamental freedoms: OSCE -- Reuters
Armenia election: Who is Nikol Pashinyan? -- Euronews

Armenians Go To The Polls To Elect A New Parliament

RFE: Armenians Voting In Landmark Parliamentary Elections

YEREVAN – Armenians are voting in snap parliamentary elections nine months after hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in protests that led to a peaceful change of government and ignited new hopes of more democratic rule.

Preelection opinion polls have indicated that acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s My Step alliance is the big favorite to win the December 9 vote.

It was Pashinian, a former anticorruption journalist, who led the demonstrations that forced long-entrenched leader Serzh Sarkisian to step down from office.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian is using this vote to weaken his predecessor's party in the parliament and to cement his leadership of the country. My prediction is that he is going to be successful.

More News On Armenia's Parliamentary Elections

Armenians vote for parliament; PM looks to bolster support -- AP
Armenians vote in election testing revolution's power shift -- France 24
Armenians vote in election testing revolution's power shift -- Reuters
Armenia leader Nikol Pashinyan holds test snap election -- BBC
Armenian PM seeks to bolster authority in early parliamentary election -- DW
Armenian Election Tests the Revolution’s Power Shift -- The New York Times
Armenia election: Post-revolutionary vote set to cement country's new political landscape -- Euronews
Armenia votes in early parliamentary election -- Al Jazeera

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Resigns In Order To Hold An Early Election

Pashinyan said he is resigning in order to hold early parliamentary elections [Tatyana Zenkovich/ Reuters]

Reuters: Armenian PM resigns to clear way for snap election

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Tuesday he was resigning from his post in order for parliament to be dissolved and an early election held.

The former opposition leader was put in power by a parliamentary vote in May after weeks of mass protests against corruption and cronyism, but there have been no parliamentary elections since the revolution last spring.

Pashinyan has said the composition of parliament does not reflect the country’s new political reality.

Read more ....

Update #1: Armenia PM Nikol Pashinyan resigns in order to hold early vote (Al Jazeera)
Update #2: Armenia's Pashinian Resigns To Force New Elections (RFE)
Update #3: Armenian premier steps down, maneuvering for early election (AP)

WNU Editor: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his party are expected to win big, and thereby legitimizing his rule after taking control of the country after last spring's revolution.

Armenian Parliament Elects Protest Leader Nikol Pashinian To Be The Next Prime Minister

DW: Armenian parliament elects protest leader Nikol Pashinian as prime minister

Armenia's parliament has elected protest leader Nikol Pashinian as prime minister. The transfer of power after weeks of protests resolves the immediate political crisis but uncertainty looms on the horizon.

Armenia's parliament on Tuesday elected opposition lawmaker and protest leader Nikol Pashinian as prime minister, marking a dramatic, peaceful change in power after a weeks-long political crisis.

The parliamentary vote follows weeks of protests spearheaded by Pashinian that forced longtime Armenian leader Serzh Sarksyan to step down as premier last month.

Read more ....

More News On The Armenian Parliament Electing Protest Leader Nikol Pashinian To Be The Next Prime Minister

The Latest: Putin congratulates new Armenian PM -- AP
Protest leader elected Armenia’s prime minister -- AP
Revolution sweeps Armenian opposition leader into power -- Reuters
Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia's maverick street leader turned PM -- AFP
Armenia revolutionary leader Pashinyan wins PM vote -- BBC
Armenian Opposition Leader Elected Prime Minister -- RFE
'He's not a populist, he's popular': Nikol Pashinyan becomes Armenian PM -- The Guardian
Armenia: Nikol Pashinyan elected as new prime minister -- Al Jazeera
Opposition leader Pashinyan elected Armenian PM -- TASS

Armenian Protest Leader Calls For A One Day Pause As He Enters Into Talks With The Ruling Party

Reuters: Armenian protest leader pauses strike for talks with ruling party

The leader of a protest movement that has rocked Armenia on Tuesday called a pause in a campaign of civil disobedience while he seeks assurances that the ruling party will back him to be the next prime minister.

Nikol Pashinyan announced the one-day timeout in the ex-Soviet country after a day of protests against the ruling elite that blocked roads and railways and brought parts of the country to a standstill.

With tens of thousands of Pashinyan’s supporters gathering for a rally in the capital, Yerevan, the head of the ruling Republican Party in parliament, Vahram Baghdasaryan offered what appeared to be an olive branch.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I am willing to bet that opposition leader Nikoi Pashinyan will be elected by the Armenian parliament on May 8 .... Armenia to elect PM on May 8 in second round of vote (Anadolu Agency)

More News On The Unrest In Armenia

The Latest: Armenia protest leader calls for end to protests -- AP
Armenian protest leader urges halt in demonstrations -- AP
Armenia's capital brought to standstill as protesters take to streets -- CNN
Armenian Opposition Leader's Supporters Protest in Yerevan -- VOA
Protests shut down Armenian capital following parliament vote -- DW
Why Armenian protesters have taken to the streets -- Mariam Matevosyan 
and Graeme Robertson, Gulf News

Armenian Opposition Leader Becomes Sole Candidate For Interim Prime Minister Job

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan gestures to his supporters at a rally in Yerevan, Armenia April 30, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb GaranichReuters

DW: Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan formally nominated for premier by supporters

Two weeks of protests have been suspended as Nikol Pashinian holds talks with other political leaders ahead of a key vote in parliament. He only needs six more votes from other parties to become prime minister.

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinian was formally nominated by his supporters for the vacant post of prime minister on Monday. He needs support from several more lawmakers to be assured of winning the vote on Tuesday in parliament.

The formal nomination is the latest step in Pashinian's progress from leader of the protests which forced unpopular Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan to resign to premier with a reform program for the former Soviet republic.

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WNU Editor: Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan is the only candidate that has been nominated for Prime Minister .... so yes .... it looks like he will have the job. A remarkable change in Armenia after two weeks of peaceful protests.

More News On Armenian Opposition Leader Being The Sole Candidate For The Interim Prime Minister Job

Armenian Opposition Leader Becomes Sole Candidate for Interim PM Job -- US News and World Report/Reuters
Armenian Protest Leader Pashinian Only Candidate For Premier -- RFE
Armenian opposition bloc nominates protest leader as premier -- AP
Armenian opposition leader outlines his first steps if elected prime minister -- ARKA

Armenia's Parliament Will Not Nominate A Candidate From The Ruling Party For Prime minister

BBC: Armenia crisis: Ruling party quits PM race

Armenia's ruling party has said it will not put up a candidate in Tuesday's parliamentary vote for a new prime minister in a bid to ease tensions.

It means the new prime minister will not come from the dominant Republican Party, for the first time since 1999.

The party said it would back another candidate on the day of the vote.

Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, who has led mass protests that forced the last prime minister to resign, says he should be the country's new leader.

Serzh Sargsyan resigned on 23 April. He had been accused of trying to cling to power.

Mr Sargsyan, who had served 10 years as president, had to step down just days after being sworn in as PM.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The ruling party's decision to not nominate a candidate for Prime Minister means that the next PM will be coming from one of the lesser parties. But for opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan who has led mass protests that forced the last prime minister to resign, this is not acceptable .... Concessions by Armenia's ruling party fail to appease protesters (Euronews). Bottom line .... expect more protests in the days to come.

More News On The Unrest In Armenia

Armenian ruling party quits PM race as protest leader bids for power -- Reuters
Armenian ruling party says will not nominate candidate for PM -- AFP
Armenian Ruling Party Won't Nominate PM Candidate; Pashinian Tells Cheering Crowds To Join 'Popular Movement' -- RFE
Armenian ruling party quits leadership race as protest leader bids for power -- The Independent

Armenia News Updates -- April 26, 2018

Reuters: Armenia to pick new PM next week as tide turns in protest leader's favor

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Armenia will get a new prime minister next week after nearly two weeks of street protests, with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, who has led the demonstrations, shaping up as the favorite.

The demonstrations, driven by public anger over perceived political cronyism and corruption, looked to have peaked on Monday when Serzh Sarksyan quit as prime minister.

But demonstrators have made clear they view the whole system tainted by his drive to shift power to the premier from the president. They want a sweeping political reconfiguration before ending their protests, which continued on Thursday.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Armenian government officials are travelling to Moscow to get their input .... Armenian foreign minister meets Russian counterpart for talks: Russia (Reuters). More here .... Armenia’s major cities gripped by opposition rallies (TASS). But Putin has made (so far) his position on Armenia very clear .... Putin to acting Armenian PM: Solve your political crisis via legal means - agencies (Reuters).

Armenia News Updates -- April 26, 2018

Armenian parliament backs holding vote on new PM next week -- AP
Armenia's Parliament To Vote For New Prime Minister On May 1 -- RFE
Armenia’s parliament sets date for prime minister vote -- DW
Protesters return to Armenia's streets after talks cancelled -- Al Jazeera
Armenia’s Ruling Party to Mull Replacing Leader, Open For Talks With Opposition -- Sputnik
Armenian MPs to elect new prime minister -- Politico.eu
Nikol Pashinyan shapes up as Armenia's next PM -- Al Jazeera
Russia to Steer Clear of Armenian Crisis, Opposition Leader Says -- Moscow Times
Armenia's 'Velvet Revolution' Prompts Comparisons With Ukraine, Georgia -- Henry Ridgwell, VOA
Armenia protests: What happens next? -- Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

Antigovernment Protests Restart In Armenia

The Guardian: Armenian protesters take to streets again as talks break down

Supporters of Nikol Pashinyan gather in Republic Square after forcing PM’s resignation.

Opposition protests have resumed in the Armenian capital after talks broke down between the ruling Republican party and the opposition, forcing the prime minister, Serzh Sargsyan, to resign on Monday.

Thousands of people descended on Republic Square in the capital, Yerevan, on Wednesday morning after a call from the opposition leader, Nikol Pashinyan, to return to the streets until the government agreed to a transition of power.

Drivers beeped their horns in support of the demonstrations and opponents of the government shouted demands for an election.

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WNU Editor: The ruling party wants new elections. The opposition leading these protests want a transfer of power. There is no common ground between the two sides.

More News On The Growing Unrest In Armenia

Armenian opposition bloc to nominate protest leader Pashinyan as PM -- Reuters
Thousands Protest in Armenia as Political Talks Called Off -- US News and World Report/AP
Tens of thousands protest as Armenia crisis deepens -- AFP
Protests Erupt Anew in Armenia Amid Political Deadlock -- New York Times
Armenians protest as acting leader suggests new elections -- Reuters
Armenian Party Quits Ruling Coalition As Pashinian Leads New Protests -- RFE
Armenian Opposition to Boycott Election to Prevent Acting PM From Keeping Power -- Sputnik
Mass protests grip Armenian capital despite PM Sargsyan’s resignation (PHOTOS, VIDEO) -- RT
Protest Actions in Armenia Spread Across Center of Yerevan (VIDEO, PHOTO) -- Sputnik
Political scientist says opposition MP Pashinyan, supporters are not ready for snap elections proposed by acting PM -- Armen Press

Armenians Celebrate The Resignation Of Strongman Serzh Sargsyan And Remember The 1915 Genocide

The Guardian: 'We took down a powerful man': Armenians mark victory and genocide

Euphoria fades towards reflection about 1915 and the future a day after protests forced Serzh Sargsyan from office

Despite the political hurdles looming, the afterglow from Armenia’s peaceful revolution has not worn off just yet.

On Tuesday, the morning after Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation, Maral Aznauryan, 15, skipped toward the capital Yerevan’s central square with the red, blue and orange Armenian flag draped over her shoulders.

“I couldn’t sleep all night, I was just yelling, crying,” she said. “My brother, my parents, we were all together in this.”

Hours later she would be joined by tens of thousands, marching in a column in remembrance of the victims of the Armenian genocide. This year’s annual day of mourning, said some, would now also mark a milestone in the country’s political progress.

Read more ....

More News On Armenia's Political Crisis

Armenia's Political Transition Unclear After PM's Ouster -- US News and World Report/AP
Armenians await change of government after peaceful revolt -- Washington Post
Armenian opposition leader calls new rally for Wednesday -- Reuters
Armenian opposition leader says 'ready to lead' country -- AFP
Armenian opposition says talks with ruling party canceled -- Reuters
Armenia ponders life without strongman Sargsyan -- Politico.eu

Armenians Remember The 1915 Genocide

Armenians Somberly Mark 'Genocide Day' Hours After Celebrating PM's Resignation -- Radio Free Europe
Political Foes in Armenia Mark Massacre by Ottoman Turks -- VOA
Armenians Throughout the World Observe 103rd Anniversary of Genocide -- Breitbart News
Remembering the Armenian Genocide in 2018 -- Al Bawaba
Erdogan Apologizes to Armenians for 'Sufferings', Avoids Word 'Genocide' -- Sputnik
Trump again declines to describe mass killings of Armenians as genocide -- The Hill

After 11 Days Of Protests, Armenia's Prime Minister Has Resigned -- News Roundup

Radio Free Europe: Armenian PM Sarkisian Resigns, Thousands Celebrate In Yerevan

Thousands of jubilant Armenians have poured into Yerevan's main square to celebrate the resignation of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, who stepped down amid widespread street protests over his election to the newly powerful post following 10 years as president.

In a dramatic turn of events a day after he had rejected opposition demands for his resignation, Sarkisian made a pointed and direct statement to the country on April 23, saying that he was acquiescing to calls from protest leader Nikol Pashinian and the demonstrators the opposition lawmaker has led for 11 days and leaving office.

"The movement of the street is against my tenure. I am fulfilling your demand," Sarkisian said in a statement on the prime minister's website.

Read more ....

After 11 Days Of Protests, Armenia's Prime Minister Has Resigned -- News Roundup

Armenian PM Sarksyan quits after 11 days of street protests -- Reuters
Armenian leader resigns, says to protesters: ‘I was wrong’ -- ABC News/AP
Serzh Sargsyan resigns as Armenia's prime minister after protests -- The Guardian
Serzh Sargsyan: Armenian PM resigns after days of protests -- BBC
Armenia Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan resigns after anti-government protests -- DW
Armenia's prime minister resigns amid large-scale protests -- Los Angeles Times
Armenian premier tenders resignation -- TASS
How 11 days of protests brought down Armenia's leader Serzh Sargsyan -- Euronews
What's Going On in Armenia? Leader Resigns Following Violent Protests -- Cristina Maza, Newsweek

Opposition Leaders Arrested In Armenia. After Ten Days Protests Continue To Grow

Armenia: Opposition leader Pashinian detained after abortive meeting with PM

The newly elected prime minister of Armenia has walked out of a live broadcast meeting immediately after it began. Police later arrested opposition leader Nikol Pashinian.

Armenian security forces clashed with protesters after Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan walked out of a meeting with opposition leader Nikol Pashinian on Sunday, with Pashinian being subsequently arrested.

The failed meeting came after tens of thousands of people held 10 days of rolling protests against Sargsyan's attempt to maintain his grip on power.

Read more ....

More News On The Growing Unrest In Armenia

Armenia Detains 3 Opposition Leaders Amid Protests -- New York Times
Armenian police detain almost 200 in protests -- Reuters
Armenia unrest: Police detain protest leader Nikol Pashinyan -- BBC
Armenia: Tens of thousands call for PM Serzh Sargsyan to step down after 'power grab' -- DW
Armenian opposition leader detained amid political unrest -- The Guardian
Armenia unrest: Police detain protest leader Nikol Pashinyan -- BBC
Armenian opposition leader Pashinyan detained at protest -- Al Jazeera
Armenia opposition leader detained after failed talks -- AFP
Armenian protest leader detained amid mass demonstrations -- CNN
Police start dispersing rally in Yerevan -- TASS
Armenian PM suspends talks with opposition leader -- TASS

Armenia Rocked By Protests Over The Appointment Of The President As Prime Minister

Reuters: Armenian opposition demands early election on eighth day of protests

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Armenian opposition supporters rallied on Friday for an eighth consecutive day against the appointment of ex-president Serzh Sarksyan as the new prime minister and demanded an early parliamentary election.

Parliament voted on Tuesday to allow Sarksyan, who had served as president of the small ex-Soviet republic from 2008 until this month, to become premier, in a job switch his opponents say show he is clinging to power.

Under a revised constitution approved by referendum in 2015, the prime minister now has most power in Armenia while the presidency has become largely ceremonial.

Read more ....

WNU editor: In the past week I have not given the coverage that this story deserves. These protests have paralyzed the Armenian capital, and the opposition have made it very clear that they will continue to protest until their demands are met. The police crackdown is also intensifying, and what first started as peaceful protests are now becoming violent.

More News On The Unrest In Armenia

40,000 gather in Armenia to demand leader’s resignation -- AP
Hundreds held in Armenia as protests enter eighth day -- AFP
Armenian Demonstrators Wrestle With Police as Anti-PM Protests Enter 8th Day -- Yahoo News
Armenian Opposition Leader Rejects ‘Dialogue,’ Demands Sarkisian Resign -- RFE
Armenian opposition leader unlikely to accept dialogue — expert -- TASS
Yerevan paralyzed by civil unrest -- EurAsia Daily
Over 230 detained in Armenia as mass opposition protests continue (PHOTOS) -- RT
Armenia: The Winds of Change, or Armenian Attempt at Velvet Revolution? -- Georgia Today
Armenian Protests Smell Like Teen Spirit -- RFE
Armenia's unpopular president makes himself prime minister -- The Economist

Armenia’s Ruling Party Wins Parliamentary Elections

RT: Armenia’s ruling party wins parliamentary polls with almost 50% of votes

The Republican Party of Armenia, led by current President Serzh Sargsyan, has won the parliamentary election, having secured almost 50 percent of the votes, the Central Election Commission says.

The Republican Party gained 49.12 percent (771,247 votes), commission Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan said, as cited by the local media.

The ruling party’s main rival, the ‘Tsarukyan’ bloc – headed by one of Armenia’s leading businessmen, Gagik Tsarukyan –garnered 27.32 percent of the vote.

Just over 7 percent of the votes were given to the ‘Elk’ (Way Out) opposition alliance.

Read more ....

More News On Armenia's Parliamentary Elections

Armenia's Ruling Party Wins Parliamentary Election With Nearly 50% of Votes -- Sputnik
Ruling party wins Armenian parliamentary vote -- Reuters
Ruling Republican Party Wins 'Tainted' Armenian Elections -- RFE
OSCE Says Armenian Parliamentary Election Had Flaws -- Reuters
Armenia elections tainted by vote-buying: OSCE monitors -- Al Jazeera

Armed Men Who Seized Armenian Police Station Surrender Ending 2 Week Stand-off

The Independent: Armenia stand-off over as all 20 gunmen occupying police station surrender

The two-week stand-off left two police officers dead and several wounded on both sides

The Armenian security service has said all 20 gunmen remaining inside a police compound in the capital have surrendered, ending a two-week standoff.

A group of 31 men seized the building in Yerevan on 17 July, demanding the release of Jirair Sefilian, an opposition leader and former military commander, who was arrested in June.

Sefilian has strongly criticised Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan and is unhappy about the way the government has been handling a long-running conflict between pro-Armenian separatists and the breakaway Azeri region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The group had lambasted the government of the former Soviet republic and urged people to protest to force the president and the prime minister to step down.

Read more ....

More News On The End Of The Stand-off Between Police And Armed Men In Armenia

Armed men who seized Armenian police station surrender -- Reuters
Armenia police station siege ends as 20 gunmen surrender -- AFP
Armenia: All 20 gunmen at police compound surrender, standoff is over -- AP
Armenia gunmen surrender after seizing police station -- BBC
Gunmen surrender in Armenia police station siege -- DW
Remaining Gunmen In Armenia Standoff Surrender -- RFE
Two-week standoff ends in Armenia as gunmen surrender -- Al Jazeera
Armenia standoff over: Members of armed group lay down arms -- Public Radio Of Armenia

Growing Unrest In Armenia

VICE News: Hostage situation at police station triggers violent protests in Armenia

Riot police and pro-opposition protesters clashed again on Saturday in Armenia's capital Yerevan, a day after at least 75 demonstrators were injured when they tried to approach the scene of an ongoing hostage situation inside a police compound.

The standoff began on July 17 when around 30 armed members of an opposition group stormed a police station and took several hostages. The hostage-takers are demanding the release of Jirair Sefilian, the leader of the country's Founding Parliament opposition group. He was arrested last month on weapons charges and accused with his supporters of plotting to seize government buildings and take over a TV transmission tower.

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WNU Editor: The video below explains why there is growing unrest in Armenia.

More News On The Growing Unrest In Armenia

Armenia police officer killed amid hostage crisis -- BBC
Police officer shot dead in lengthy Armenia stand-off -- AFP
Armenian Police Accuse Barricaded Gunmen of Killing Officer -- AP
Armenia hostage standoff: Police officer shot dead -- Al Jazeera
Riot police and protesters clash in Yerevan, Armenia -- BBC
Armenia hostage standoff: Clashes erupt in Yerevan -- Al Jazeera
Armenians step up their demands in a fourth summer of protest -- The Guardian