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Armenian protest leader ends blockades

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Yerevan: Armenian protest leader Nikol Pashinyan has called on his supporters to end a day of blockades that stopped traffic in parts of the capital and reconvene for a rally on a central square, as parliament set a new date to choose a prime minister.


Armenia was plunged into political crisis last month when street protests led by Pashinyan elicited the resignation of the prime minister — and former president — Serzh Sargsyan.


Protesters used their cars to block major traffic routes throughout Yerevan on Wednesday, the day after Pashinyan came up eight votes short in a parliamentary vote for prime minister, even though he was the only candidate.


Parliament is scheduled to hold another vote on May 8. If no candidate is elected in that second round, the parliament will be dissolved, state media reported. Protesters blocked several government ministries, including the Justice Ministry, and shut down the highway to the country’s main airport.


Numerous tourists were seen walking with suitcases on the highway to and from Zvartnots International Airport, state news agency Armenpress reported.


Pashinyan’s party called for protesters to let ambulances and military vehicles through the blockades. — dpa


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