The Supreme Council of the ARF (Armenia) issued a statement today calling on all parliamentary political factions to form a “consultative forum”, under the aegis of the president, to discuss the wave of protests in the country and to come up with solutions.

While the Supreme Council says that civil disobedience is an important pillar of democracy and development, it also claims that the opposition is taking Armenia to confrontation that can only splinter its national potential.

On April 14, the ARF’s Supreme Council endorsed the nomination of Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister.

Note to Readers -  After the National Assembly elected Serzh Sargsyan prime minister on April 17, Yelk Alliance MP Nikol Pashinyan, who spearheaded the “Im Kayl” (My Step) movement to prevent Sargsyan’s election, declared a “Velvet Revolution” to be carried out on a rotating basis. Protesters will briefly “occupy” government buildings, urging civil servants inside to join them. The intent is to disrupt the normal flow of life in downtown Yerevan, blocking traffic on major streets, and then hold evening rallies in Republic Square. Today marks the sixth day of civil disobedience in Yerevan.