ArmInfo. Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan disagrees with the statement that the replacement of the Minister of Defense of Artsakh could adversely affect the defense capability of the republic. He stated this on December 19 in Dilijan after meeting with the participants of the interactive start-up program with the participants of the NerUzh program (translated from Armenian - "potential" - ed.).
"For reasons well known to you, I will not be able to comment on the resignation of Levon Mnatsakanyan (former Minister of Defense of Artsakh. Ed.). As for fears that the resignation of Mnatsakanyan may lead to a decrease in Artsakh's defense capability, I would say that the assessment is extremely negative," - declared Pashinyan.
According to him, the new leadership of the Army of Defense is the old-timers of the army. "They served their entire lives in the army and are at the origin of the war of liberation," the Acting head of government of Armenia stressed.
To recall, on December 14, lieutenant-general Levon Mnatsakanyan from the position of the Artsakh Republic defense minister, commander of the Defense Army. On the same day, according to another presidential decree major-general Karen Abrahamyan was appointed Artsakh Republic defense minister, commander of the Defense Army, being released form the position of first deputy commander, chief of staff of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army's military unit N19916.Under the President's decree colonel Jalal Haroutyunyan was appointed first deputy commander, chief of staff of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army's military unit N19916, being released from the post of commander of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army's military unit N42009.Pursuant to the Government resolution approved by the President, Karen Sargsyan was released from the post of director of the Artsakh Republic State Service on Emergency Situations. Pursuant to the Government resolution approved by the President, Levon Mnatsakanyan was appointed director of the Artsakh Republic State Service on Emergency Situations. According to the Presidential decree Mourad Petrosyan was released from the position of Artsakh Republic President's representative at large upon his own request. Under the President's decree, Karen Sargsyan was appointed Artsakh Republic President's representative at large.