Armenian president again rejects PM's motion to dismiss army chief

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian on Tuesday rejected again Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's motion on dismissing Onik Gasparyan, the chief of the army's general staff, reported Xinhua.

In an official statement on its website, the president office said that the president decided not to sign the draft decree. Meanwhile, he will apply to the Constitutional Court to determine the issue.

"Faithful to his commitment, the President will continue steps aiming at further stabilizing the situation, and, by serving the institute of the president as a platform, is calling on everyone to negotiate to find a comprehensive solution to all existing problems," said the statement.

It is the second time that the Armenian president turned down the motion on dismissing the chief of the general staff from the prime minister since last Thursday.

Pashinyan on Thursday sacked Gasparyan, accusing him of attempting a military coup, after Gasparyan, his deputies and dozens of top military commanders signed a statement, demanding Pashinyan and his cabinet resign, the local Armenpress reported. However, the prime minister's order needs a formal approval from the presidency.

According to Armenian law, Armenian president has three days to either approve a motion from the prime minister or return it with objections. But if the motion is sent to the president again, he will have to choose to sign it or apply to the Constitutional Court.