YEREVAN, April 23. /ARKA/. Armenian prime minister Serzh Sargsyan has resigned today. In a statement, posted on prime minister’s official website, Serzh Sargsyan says:

“Dear countrymen, I am addressing all citizens of the Republic of Armenia. The elderly and my dearest youth. Men and women, I am addressing those who stood on the streets day and night with “Reject Serzh” calls and those who were reaching their offices with difficulty and carrying out their duty without complaining. I am addressing those who were following live broadcast for days and those who were ensuring public order for day and night manly.

I am addressing our courageous soldiers and officers who are standing at the border; I am addressing my brothers in arms. I am addressing my fellow party-men, all political forces and politicians. I am addressing you for the last time as leader of the country. Nikol Pashinyan was right. I was wrong. The situation has several solutions, but I will not take any of them. That is not mine. I am leaving office of the country’s leader, of Prime Minister. The street movement is against my tenure. I am fulfilling your demand. Peace, harmony and reasoning for our country. Thank you.”

The anti-government protests in Armenia began on April 13 after Armenia's ruling Republican Party nominated former president Serzh Sargsyan for the prime minister’s post. Serzh Sargsyan resigned as president on April 9 and was elected as prime minister during a special session of parliament on April 17 by a vote of 77 to 17.

According to Armenia’s amended constitution, approved in a national referendum in 2015, Armenia has switched the government from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system making the presidency largely ceremonial and strengthening the office of the prime minister. . -0-