Armenia president’s office responds to PM Pashinyan’s demand to dismiss Chief of General Staff

The Office of the President of Armenia 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.

The General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces demands the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government.

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.

Following the incident, the Armenian army noted that the PM and the government are no longer able to make proper decisions for the Armenian people.

The army also noted their statement is not made under anyone’s pressure.

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.

“However, in the conditions of martial law and the current crisis, after the mentioned statement, the dismissal of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces is not another personnel reshuffle,” the statement added.

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.

“The President does not support any political force, has never supported and will not support,” the statement said. “In carrying out his functions, the President is guided exclusively by the interests of the state and the people. President Sarkissian attaches importance to maintaining an atmosphere of stability and tolerance in the country. He will continue to do everything in this direction, being convinced that problems should be resolved through dialogue and not through confrontation.”

News.am