PM resigns after anger over hostage crisis

Armenia’s Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian has announced his resignation, saying the country needs a “new approach” after an economic downturn and weeks of violent protests.
His move, widely expected following a protracted hostage crisis that highlighted public discontent, paves the way for the cabinet to resign and the president to appoint a new prime minister after consultations with parliament.
“I decided to step down so that the president can form a new government,” Abrahamian, 58, told a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
“We need a new approach, new start.”
Abrahamian “will be replaced by the former Yerevan mayor Karen Karapetyan”, a top government official told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity.