The National Security Service has issued a statement saying,

“Dear compatriots,

In the current situation, the National Security Service urges to refrain from actions that threaten national security and warns that any illegal action will receive an adequate response from law enforcement agencies.

We call on our citizens not to engage in provocative actions, to maintain law and order and vigilance. The public administration bodies of the Republic of Armenia fully carry out their functions.

The National Security Service warns that possible such actions could threaten the security of the Republic of Armenia and any such step could be seen as a concrete goal to weaken the state.

Within its powers, the National Security Service continues to take the necessary measures arising from the situation to ensure and protect the sovereignty and security of the Republic of Armenia, its territorial integrity.”

Earlier, the leadership of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, headed by Onik Gasparyan, demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister.

Samvel Asatryan, Chief of the Information Department of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces, distributed the statement of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces, which states:

“The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia expresses its resolute protest against the dismissal of the First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia for short-sighted reasons, which was carried out without taking into account the national and state interests of the Republic of Armenia. In such difficult conditions for the country, such a decision is an anti-state and irresponsible step.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the government, are no longer able to make adequate decisions in this critical situation for the Armenian people.

For a long time, the RA Armed Forces patiently tolerated the “attacks” aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces by the current government, but everything has its limits.

The RA Armed Forces has fulfilled its duty with honor, to fight with its people against the enemy.

Inefficient governance of the current authorities and serious mistakes in foreign policy have brought the country to the brink of collapse.

Due to the current situation, the RA Armed Forces demand the resignation of the RA Prime Minister and the Government, at the same time warning to refrain from using force against the people whose children died defending the Homeland and Artsakh.

The army has always been with the people, as the people have been with the army.

The statement was signed by a group of high ranking military officials.

Earlier we reported that by President Armen Sargsyan’s February 24 decree, Tiran Khachatryan was relieved of the post of First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan assessed the statement as an attempt at a military coup. He invited his supporters to the Republic Square to talk to them.

He noted that yesterday and today he made decisions to dismiss both the First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and the Chief, Onik Gasparyan, who was followed by the statement of the General Staff.

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