Protest paralyzes centre of Armenia’s capital

YEREVAN, Armenia – Thousands of demonstrators are crowding the square in Armenia’s capital where four main streets intersect, paralyzing traffic in the centre city.

The crowd on Yerevan’s France Square is protesting Armenia’s recent change of government form that they see as a move for former President Serzh Sargsyan to stay in power. Leaders vowed late Friday to conduct the protest around the clock.

Armen Sarkisian took over as president from Sargsyan on Monday, inaugurated under a new system in which the president’s powers will be weaker and the prime minister will dominate. Sargsyan, whose party holds a majority in parliament, is expected to be nominated for the premiership on Saturday.

Protest leaders say they will demonstrate outside the building where Sargsyan is expected to be nominated.