“I call on you to keep calm and not take any drastic measures, but to participate in the peaceful gathering by coming to Republic Square. And I call on the military to continue carrying out the function of defending the homeland and to not lose vigilance at all costs. Everything is under control, everything is under our soldiers’ control, and we should not allow anything to take place that will contradict the service process,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during a Facebook live.
The General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces had made a statement earlier demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. Pashinyan posted on Facebook that he believes this was an attempt at a military coup, and he invited his followers to Republic Square.
Pashinyan also said, “We must understand what ties there were between several high-ranking soldiers and political circles.”
According to Pashinyan, “It is unacceptable for the Armed Forces and the army to get involved in politics and to make political assessments. I understand that this is not in reference to all soldiers. The majority of them carried out the orders of their superiors. I must emphasize openly that the superior body consists of the Minister of Defense, and, unfortunately, the Prime Minister, and soldiers must obey the orders of their superiors.”
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During his live video, Pashinyan also announced that he will fire the chief of the General Staff, Onik Gasparyan. The President of Armenia received, but has not yet signed, the decision removing Gasparyan from his position.
“The Minister of Defense has been ordered to carry out his service responsibilities and maintain the normal processes taking place in the Armed Forces,” Nikol Pashinyan added.
He said that he will speak about several pressing issues at Republic Square.
Luiza Sukiasyan
