26.02.21 digest: Latest on Yerevan rallies, how does world reflect on situation in Armenia?

26.02.21 digest: Latest on Yerevan rallies

PROTESTS

Protesters stormed Yerevan streets on Thursday evening, demanding the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Participants of the rally organized by the opposition set up tents on Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan and stayed there at night.

The situation has become tense after the Armenian army joint staff issued a statement noting that the army demands the resignation of PM Nikol Pashinyan and his government. The statement was signed by the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, his deputies, heads of departments, and commanders of all corps.

The Armenian army has expressed its resolute protest over the dismissal of the First Deputy Chief of the Armenian Armed Forces General Staff.

At the suggestion of the PM, President Armen Sarkissian had dismissed Tiran Khachatryan, who had reportedly mocked PM's words about the alleged flaw of the Russia-made Iskander missile systems.

After this statement, Nikol Pashinyan made a Facebook post, noting that he had signed the necessary documents to dismiss Onik Gasparyan, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces.

The PM also urged his supporters to hold protests. He marched through the central streets of the capital, surrounded by police officers.

PM'S STATEMENT

The Armenian president's office has issued a statement and noted that it had received a proposal from the Prime Minister of Armenia to dismiss Onik Gasparyan from the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces.

According to the constitution, the president has a three-day term to make a decision. Due to the need to ensure the normal functioning of state bodies, the president has so far had no fundamental objections to the appointment or dismissal of officials.

The presidential administration also reports that in the current situation, no one should try to involve the president in the political process. Any attempts to put pressure on the president are unacceptable.

PUTIN, PASHINYAN'S TALKS

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held phone talks and discussed the situation in the republic, president's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted.

The telephone conversation took place at the initiative of the Armenian side.

However, there is a clear discrepancy in press releases following the leaders' phone talks posted on the websites of the leaders.

The PM's statement noted that Putin expressed support for the legitimate authorities of Armenia and expressed hope for the soonest normalization of the situation, which is not indicated in the Russian statement.

Thus, this is another advertising step on the part of the Armenian authorities.

WORLD ON SITUATION

The world is reflecting on the latest developments in Armenia.

NATO called on Armenia to resolve political differences in a peaceful and democratic way.

"It’s important to avoid words or actions that could lead to further escalation," NATO spokesperson, Oana Lungescu tweeted.

The EU, in turn, noted that it is following the developments in Armenia very closely.

According to him, political differences must be resolved peacefully and in strict accordance with the principles and processes of parliamentary democracy, the representative of the EU foreign policy service Peter Stano said.

The UN has expressed concern over events in Armenia and called on parties to restrain.

According to the organization's secretary general's official representative Stephane Dujarric, it is very important that all parties remain calm.

Meanwhile, Iran called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid violence.

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