23 Apr 2018 21:15

Armenia's ruling Republican Party supports Sargsyan's decision on resignation

YEREVAN. April 23 (Interfax) - Vahram Baghdasaryan, the head of the ruling Republican Party's faction in the parliament, has described Serzh Sargsyan's decision to step down as the prime minister as reasonable.

"[It is] a wise and reasonable step. In order to avoid any issues, he put the interests of state above his own. It is an action of a political state figure," Baghdasaryan told reporters on Monday.

Any other decision, including the use of force against protestors, would lead to "very bad consequences," he said.

"Sargsyan remains the chairman of the ruling Republican Party," Baghdasaryan said.

On Monday, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian signed a decree dismissing the government. Earlier on Monday, Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan resigned amid many day-long protest rallies. He held this post for less than a week following his election by the parliament on April 17.