Protests against a new prime minister are spreading in Armenia, with their chief organiser declaring them a "revolution".

Demonstrators object to the country's parliament voting in ex-president Serzh Sargsyan as the new premier.

Opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan made the remarks in the capital Yerevan, a short distance from the country's parliament.

"We must paralyse the entire state system and the power should pass to the people," he said.

"Serzh Sargsyan must see that he has no Armenia to rule in and no people to rule over."

Mr Pashinyan urged protesters in Yerevan and in other cities to blockade state institutions.

Demonstrators in the capital have cordoned off the interior ministry and the prosecutor's office, though police are surrounding the parliament where legislators are confirming Mr Sargsyan.

People are also reportedly massing in the cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor.

Serzh Sargsyan was elected president of Armenia in 2008 and again in 2013, serving two five-year terms before stepping down.

However, following a 2015 constitutional referendum the country shifted from a presidential system to a parliamentary republic - relegating the presidency to a more ceremonial role.

The ex-president had formally stated he would "not aspire" for the prime minister position. But on Monday the country's parliament unanimously chose Mr Sargsyan for the post, planning to swear him in on Tuesday.

This is the fifth day of protests against what opposition groups are dubbing a "power grab" by the former leader. </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Armenians protested again on Tuesday, a day after clashes with riot police

Armenia's National Assembly has sworn in a new prime minister after days of protests against him.

Demonstrators object to the former president, Serzh Sargsyan, becoming the new premier.

Opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan said the protests constitute a "non-violent velvet revolution".

"We must paralyse the entire state system and the power should pass to the people," he told protesters in the capital Yerevan.

"Serzh Sargsyan must see that he has no Armenia to rule in and no people to rule over."

Mr Pashinyan earlier urged protesters in Yerevan and in other cities to blockade state institutions.

Demonstrators in the capital proceeded to cordon off the interior ministry and the prosecutor's office, though police prevented them from entering the parliament where legislators confirmed Mr Sargsyan as prime minister.

People are also reportedly gathering to demonstrate in the cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor.

Image caption Traffic has been blocked by protesters in several roads in the capital

Local media report that before he was officially sworn in, Mr Sargsyan told parliament that under the new constitution the prime minister would be "under parliament's control and can be replaced for political reasons".

He reportedly said he could serve as a "shadow" premier, influencing government without taking office, but said that would be "a sign of weakness and desire to avoid responsibility".

At the scene

Rayhan Demytrie, BBC News Caucasus correspondent in Yerevan

Anti-government protesters continue to block several main roads in the capital, using benches and rubbish bins to stop the traffic.

The protesters have been chanting "Serzh the liar" about the ex-president, who in the past said that he had no intention of becoming the country's prime minister after the end of his second presidential term.

Many Armenians want to see a genuine change in their country but they feel that they are being deprived of that opportunity because the leadership remains the same.

Serzh Sargsyan was elected president of Armenia in 2008 and again in 2013, serving two five-year terms before stepping down.

However, following a 2015 constitutional referendum the country shifted from a presidential system to a parliamentary republic - relegating the presidency to a more ceremonial role.

The ex-president had formally stated he would "not aspire" for the prime minister position. But on Tuesday the country's parliament chose Mr Sargsyan for the post.

Image copyright AFP/Getty Image caption This is the fifth day of protests in Armenia

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Police have been protecting the parliament building against the protesters

This is the fifth day of protests against what opposition groups are dubbing a "power grab" by the former leader.

About 60 protesters have been detained and charged by the police, with several dozen people requiring medical treatment - including Mr Pashinyan.

The election of Mr Sargsyan to the presidency in 2008 was met with demonstrations, with protesters alleging vote rigging. At least eight people died in clashes with the authorities. </s> The prime minister and former president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, announced his resignation on Monday amid ongoing mass protests in the capital of Yerevan.

Sargsyan made the announcement in a statement on his website, saying that “the movement of the streets is against my office,” so he decided to leave office.

The protests came in reaction to Sargsyan’s appointment as prime minister earlier this month, after he had already served as president for a decade.

The parliament’s vote to appoint him prime minister completed the Caucasus nation’s switch from a presidential to a parliamentary system following a disputed 2015 referendum, a move the government describes as a boost for democracy.

But many Armenians saw the system change as a scheme designed to allow Sargsyan to maintain his grip on power. Under the new constitution, the president’s powers will be transferred to the prime minister.

Sargsyan had long promised not to run for either president or prime minister after the end of his 2018 term, but changed his tune in March this year. </s> Armenia's prime minister and ex-president Serzh Sargsyan walked out of a televised meeting Sunday with anti-government protest leader Nikol Pashinyan shortly after it began, denouncing the opposition's "blackmail".

"I came here to discuss your resignation," Pashinyan, the leader of the opposition Civil Contract party, had told the prime minister in front of the cameras.

"This is not a dialogue, this is blackmail, I only can advise you to return to a legal framework... otherwise you will bear the responsibility," Sargsyan replied.

"You don't understand the situation in Armenia. The power is now in people's hands," said Pashinyan.

"A party that scored eight percent in (parliamentary) elections can't speak on behalf of the people," Sargsyan said before walking out of the meeting room in Yerevan's Marriott hotel.

Pashinyan then vowed to "step up pressure" on Sargsyan to force him to resign.

Heeding a call from Pashinyan, protesters had held rallies over the last 10 days to denounce Sargsyan's shift to a premier's post after a decade serving as president.

Tens of thousands of people flocked to central Yerevan's Republic Square on Saturday to protest against Sargsyan's rule.

Armenian President Armen Sarkisian, who succeeded Sargsyan, met Pashinyan at the square and two men had a brief consversation.

Armenian authorities said Saturday more than 70 people have been arrested, including two people suspected of building bombs.

The national security service said two people with opposition connections were arrested for preparing bombings in public places.

In the evening, about 50,000 demonstrators gathered in the capital's central Republic Square.

Opposition supporters have criticized the 63-year-old leader over poverty, corruption and the influence of powerful oligarchs.

A former military officer, Sargsyan has been in charge of the landlocked South Caucasus nation of 2.9 million people for a decade.

Under a new parliamentary system of government, lawmakers elected him as prime minister last week.

Constitutional amendments approved in 2015 have transferred power from the presidency to the premier.

After he was first elected in 2008, 10 people died and hundreds were injured in bloody clashes between police and supporters of the defeated opposition candidate. </s> YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenia’s former president shifted into the prime minister’s seat Tuesday as tens of thousands opposition supporters rallied in the capital to protest the move, which they saw as a power grab.

Protesters, who see the government change as an attempt by ex-President Serzh Sargsyan to extend his rule in the former Soviet nation, have been blockading government buildings and streets in the capital since Friday.

About 40,000 opposition supporters rallied at a central square and then marched across town Tuesday.

Sargsyan, who served as Armenia’s president from 2008 until stepping down because of term limits, was confirmed as the new prime minister by a 77-17 vote in parliament on Tuesday. Under a new political system, he now takes a dominant role as prime minister, and the new president plays a mostly ceremonial role.

Demonstrators vowed to block the parliament session, but failed to do so as police had cordoned off the area hours before the vote.

The protesters’ leader, opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian, declared what he called a “velvet revolution,” urging demonstrators to keep besieging government ministries, the prosecutor’s office, the Central Bank and other official buildings.

Police on Tuesday didn’t try to disperse the protesters, and the rally went on peacefully. On Monday, police used tear gas and stun grenades when protesters tried to break through police cordons. Several dozen people were injured in the clashes.

Police also detained three demonstrators involved in the brief seizure of the public radio headquarters on Saturday. </s> YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) - The leader of major political protests that have gripped the Armenian capital for more than a week has been arrested, and the streets of Yerevan are echoing with the blare of car horns in a new technique for expressing opposition.

The protests that began on April 13 center on the appointment of former President Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister, part of Armenia's transition to a governmental system that reduces the powers of the presidency and bolsters the premier's. Critics say the change effectively allows Sargsyan to lead the country for life.

Sargsyan and protest leader Nikola Pashinian met Sunday morning for brief televised talks, but Sargsyan walked out after Pashinian made it clear he would only discuss Sargsyan's resignation.

Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, left, speaks with protest leader Nikol Pashinian during their meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, Sunday, April 22, 2018. Thousands of demonstrators on Saturday closed off streets in Yerevan during a march pressing demands for the prime minister to resign. Sargsyan was named premier this week as Armenia transitioned to a new system of government that reduces the presidency's power and bolsters the prime minister role. (Hrant Khachatryan/PAN Photo via AP)

Pashinian was arrested later in the day.

Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, left, gestures as he leaves a meeting with protest leader Nikol Pashinian, right, in Yerevan, Armenia, Sunday, April 22, 2018. Thousands of demonstrators on Saturday closed off streets in Yerevan during a march pressing demands for the prime minister to resign. Sargsyan was named premier this week as Armenia transitioned to a new system of government that reduces the presidency's power and bolsters the prime minister role. (Hrant Khachatryan/PAN Photo via AP) </s> Serzh Sargsyan, Armenia's former president who lawmakers voted in as prime minister just last Tuesday, announced on Monday that he will step down.

His resignation follows days of heated protests in the streets of Yerevan, Armenia's capital, and large cities across the eastern European nation. Crowds rallied to oppose Sargsyan's new role as prime minister, perceiving it as a maneuver to cling to power.

Sargsyan, 63, had served two consecutive, five-year terms as president and was unable to seek re-election by law. A 2015 constitutional referendum transferred a number of powers from the president to the prime minister, though some independent observers reported massive election irregularities.

Critics accused him of using the tactics of his ally Russian President Vladimir Putin to maintain power: handpicking a successor to the presidency after his term limits were up and moving onto the position of prime minister, where power had been shifted.

Sargsyan began his statement of resignation with simple words: "I appeal to all citizens of the Republic of Armenia, the elderly and my beloved young people,

women and men, I am addressing those who have been standing in the streets night and day with the 'No to Serzh' slogan."

He continued, "I am addressing you for the last time as the country's leader. ... I am giving up the post of the country's prime minister. The movement in the streets is against my tenure. I comply with your demand."

It is not clear from the statement when Sargsyan will leave office.

His spokesman, Hovhannes Nikoghosyan, told the BBC that the resignation was a "clear demonstration of a democracy in force. It's not that every demonstration in every corner of the world leads to the resignation of the authorities," he said. The man who preceded Sargsyan as prime minister, Karen Karapetyan, is reported to be acting prime minister.

The new constitution states that the president serves for seven years and cannot be elected to consecutive terms.

As clashes erupted between police and protesters in recent days, dozens of people were injured, including the leader of Yerevan's demonstration — opposition politician Nikol Pashinyan. Nearly 200 people were detained, including Pashinyan who was "forcibly taken," The Guardian reported. A few journalists were also hurt as they covered the rallies, according to Radio Liberty.

The protests prompted the U.S. Embassy in Armenia to tweet, "We are concerned about the clashes between the police and the demonstrators, during which there were victims. We call on all sides to be restrained and avoid any tension or violent action."

But on Monday, Sargsyan's announcement caused the opposition to rejoice. "You won, proud citizen of the Republic of Armenia. And no one can snatch this victory. Congratulations, victorious people," Pashinyan posted on Facebook.

Meanwhile, people in Yerevan's Republic Square celebrated the news: </s> Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan suddenly resigned on Monday less than a week after taking office amid massive opposition protests.

“The people are against my rule,” Sargsyan, who took office as prime minister after serving as Armenia’s president for 10 years, said in a statement. “I am leaving my post.”

The announcement came as demonstrators flooded the streets of the capital, Yerevan, for an 11th day on Monday demanding Sargysan’s resignation, and hours after police released opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan from overnight detention. Pashinyan’s arrest prompted the largest protest to date on Sunday, while scores of troops joined the anti-government movement on Monday for the first time.

The crisis erupted when the ruling Republican Party elected Sargsyan prime minister last week as Armenia completed a transition to a parliamentary republic in which executive powers were transferred from the presidency to the premier. Pashinyan accused Sargsyan of trying to rule indefinitely after two terms as president and demanded his resignation as thousands took to the streets in protest. Talks between Sargsyan and Pashinyan on Sunday broke up in minutes when the opposition leader said he’d only come to discuss the premier’s resignation. He was detained shortly after. </s> Armenia's parliament has elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as new prime minister, two weeks after Serzh Sargsyan resigned following widespread anti-government demonstrations.

Pashinyan's so-called Velvet Revolution has exercised true people power - the ability to conjure up a storm of support on request.

His protest movement began with a march of non-violence on March 31, demanding Sargsyan to step down.

Pashinyan, 42, experienced a meteoric rise in popularity in recent weeks by appealing to Armenians of all ages.

The election of Pashinyan, a former newspaper editor who spent time in prison for fomenting unrest, marks a rupture with the cadre of rulers who have run Armenia since the late 1990s.

He promised to rid the country of what he called a oligarchic, nepotistic political system, a message that has resonated with a younger generation frustrated by a lack of opportunities.

Pashinyan spearheaded a protest movement that first forced veteran leader Sarksyan to step down as prime minister and then pressured the ruling party to abandon attempts to block his election as prime minister, the country's most powerful post.

In a vote in parliament on Tuesday, 59 MPs backed Pashinyan's candidacy, including some from the ruling Republican Party, with 42 voting against.

In a vote last week, the Republican Party blocked Pashinyan, but it said on Tuesday it had decided to get behind him for the sake of unity and the good of the nation.

A central square in the capital, where Pashinyan's supporters gathered to watch the voting on huge television screens, erupted into joy when the result was shown.

The tens of thousands of people in Republic Square shouted "Nikol!" and white doves were released into the air. People hugged and kissed each other.
Amid anti-government protests, Armenia's National Assembly swears in former President Serzh Sargsyan as Prime Minister. The opposition call the move a "power grab".