Thousands protest in Armenia as political talks called off

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) - Several thousand protesters took to the streets of the Armenian capital on Wednesday morning after talks between the opposition and the acting prime minister were called off.

Protest leader Nikol Pashinian had been expected to sit down with the acting prime minister to discuss political transition after Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan abruptly stepped down on Monday amid massive anti-government protests.

Acting Prime Minister Karen Karapetian is an ally of Sargsyan, who ruled Armenia for 10 years. The opposition insists that he step down soon to make way for a new premier appointed by a new parliament. The talks on Wednesday were supposed to discuss that transition.

Karapetian said in a statement that the talks with Pashinian were canceled after the opposition made unspecified "unilateral demands."

Pashinian called on his supporters to take to the streets in protest.

About 5,000 people marched in the center of the capital, Yerevan, blocking traffic and chanting "Join us!" Protesters danced on the streets and waved the Armenian tricolor. Outside of Yerevan, protesters blocked several major highways including the road to the airport.

"Authorities won't step down, they are just dragging their feet," said 24-year-old protester Garik Migranyan. "But we will make them do that. We are the power."

Armen Tankyan, who was at the main square with his 11-year-old son, said people have lost trust in the authorities, while "the opposition promises change for the better."

Armenia's sports minister on Wednesday sided with the protesters, telling the demonstrators on the Republic Square that he is resigning.

"We will not allow authorities to steal our victory," Pashinian told supporters. "There will be more of us here with every day until we take power."

Pashinian said he and his allies would boycott the snap parliamentary election if a member of the ruling Republican Party remains prime minister.

The opposition insisted that "a people's candidate" should replace Karapetian. Pashinian has indicated his willingness to become premier if people support him.

Pashinian called for a rally on Yerevan's main square on Wednesday evening, when a new prime minister will be nominated. The nominee would need to get parliament's approval and is expected to oversee the upcoming snap election.

He said later on Wednesday that he met with the ambassadors of several European Union nations and was preparing meetings with the U.S. and Russian envoys.

Sargsyan said in a statement he is concerned about the tensions in the country and would launch talks with pro-government and ruling parties in search of compromise.

Analysts warned of escalation as the protesters made it clear that they would not settle for the mere ouster of Sargsyan - instead, they seek a genuine change of the whole political leadership.

"Authorities have been retreating every day," Yerevan-based political analysts Agarov Adibekian said. "The massive street protests are increasing the opposition's chances to take power."

Russia has been cautious about taking a stand on the developments in Armenia, in stark contrast to previous years when Moscow routinely dismissed anti-government protests in other former Soviet nations as examples of hostile Western influence.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday expressed hope that "our Armenian friends will manage to solve this situation soon."

Protest leader Pashinian has been only mildly critical of Russia, which is a key ally and economic donor for this landlocked Caucasus Mountains nation.

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Nataliya Vasilyeva contributed to this report from Moscow.