Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Armenians protested again on Tuesday, a day after clashes with riot police

Armenia's National Assembly has sworn in a new prime minister after days of protests against him.

Demonstrators object to the former president, Serzh Sargsyan, becoming the new premier.

Opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan said the protests constitute a "non-violent velvet revolution".

"We must paralyse the entire state system and the power should pass to the people," he told protesters in the capital Yerevan.

"Serzh Sargsyan must see that he has no Armenia to rule in and no people to rule over."

Mr Pashinyan earlier urged protesters in Yerevan and in other cities to blockade state institutions.

Demonstrators in the capital proceeded to cordon off the interior ministry and the prosecutor's office, though police prevented them from entering the parliament where legislators confirmed Mr Sargsyan as prime minister.

People are also reportedly gathering to demonstrate in the cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor.

Image caption Traffic has been blocked by protesters in several roads in the capital

Local media report that before he was officially sworn in, Mr Sargsyan told parliament that under the new constitution the prime minister would be "under parliament's control and can be replaced for political reasons".

He reportedly said he could serve as a "shadow" premier, influencing government without taking office, but said that would be "a sign of weakness and desire to avoid responsibility".

At the scene

Rayhan Demytrie, BBC News Caucasus correspondent in Yerevan

Anti-government protesters continue to block several main roads in the capital, using benches and rubbish bins to stop the traffic.

The protesters have been chanting "Serzh the liar" about the ex-president, who in the past said that he had no intention of becoming the country's prime minister after the end of his second presidential term.

Many Armenians want to see a genuine change in their country but they feel that they are being deprived of that opportunity because the leadership remains the same.

Serzh Sargsyan was elected president of Armenia in 2008 and again in 2013, serving two five-year terms before stepping down.

However, following a 2015 constitutional referendum the country shifted from a presidential system to a parliamentary republic - relegating the presidency to a more ceremonial role.

The ex-president had formally stated he would "not aspire" for the prime minister position. But on Tuesday the country's parliament chose Mr Sargsyan for the post.

Image copyright AFP/Getty Image caption This is the fifth day of protests in Armenia

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Police have been protecting the parliament building against the protesters

This is the fifth day of protests against what opposition groups are dubbing a "power grab" by the former leader.

About 60 protesters have been detained and charged by the police, with several dozen people requiring medical treatment - including Mr Pashinyan.

The election of Mr Sargsyan to the presidency in 2008 was met with demonstrations, with protesters alleging vote rigging. At least eight people died in clashes with the authorities.</s>Armenia's former president has been elected prime minister amid large-scale protests.

The Armenian parliament voted overwhelmingly today to confirm Serzh Sargsyan as the new prime minister.

Mr Sargsyan served as the country's president from 2008 until earlier this year, when he stepped down because of term limits.

He is becoming head of government under a new political system that gives the president less authority and has the prime minister taking a dominant role.

Thousands of opposition supporters have rallied since the weekend to protest against what they think is Mr Sargsyan's attempt to stay in power indefinitely.

Protesters surrounded government buildings and started a sit-in outside the seat of government today.</s>The Armenian National Assembly voted 77 to 17 today to elect ex-President Serzh Sargsyan as Prime Minister.

Serzh Sarsyan was nominated by the ruling Republican Party and its coalition partner ARF Dashnaktsutyun.

According to RA Constitution, the President of the Republic shall immediately appoint as Prime Minister the candidate elected by the National Assembly.

The government shall be formed within a period of fifteen days following appointment of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister shall, within a period of five days following his or her appointment, propose to the President of the Republic candidates for Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers.

The President of the Republic shall, within a period of three days, either appoint Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers, or apply to the Constitutional Court.

The Parliament sitting was accompanied by wide-spread protests led by opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan.</s>YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia's former president has been elected prime minister amid large-scale protests.

The Armenian parliament voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to confirm Serzh Sargsyan as the new prime minister. Sargsyan served as the country's president from 2008 until earlier this year, when he stepped down because of term limits.

He is becoming head of government under a new political system that gives the president less authority and has the prime minister taking a dominant role.

Thousands of opposition supporters have rallied since the weekend to protest what they think is Sargsyan's attempt to stay in power indefinitely.

Protesters surrounded government buildings and started a sit-in outside the seat of government on Tuesday.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>Protests against a new prime minister are spreading in Armenia, with their chief organiser declaring them a "revolution".

Demonstrators object to the country's parliament voting in ex-president Serzh Sargsyan as the new premier.

Opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan made the remarks in the capital Yerevan, a short distance from the country's parliament.

"We must paralyse the entire state system and the power should pass to the people," he said.

"Serzh Sargsyan must see that he has no Armenia to rule in and no people to rule over."

Mr Pashinyan urged protesters in Yerevan and in other cities to blockade state institutions.

Demonstrators in the capital have cordoned off the interior ministry and the prosecutor's office, though police are surrounding the parliament where legislators are confirming Mr Sargsyan.

People are also reportedly massing in the cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor.

Serzh Sargsyan was elected president of Armenia in 2008 and again in 2013, serving two five-year terms before stepping down.

However, following a 2015 constitutional referendum the country shifted from a presidential system to a parliamentary republic - relegating the presidency to a more ceremonial role.

The ex-president had formally stated he would "not aspire" for the prime minister position. But on Monday the country's parliament unanimously chose Mr Sargsyan for the post, planning to swear him in on Tuesday.

This is the fifth day of protests against what opposition groups are dubbing a "power grab" by the former leader.</s>Armenia's former president shifted into the prime minister's seat Tuesday as about 40,000 protesters rallied in the capital to oppose the move, which they saw as a power grab.

Supporters of opposition parties in Armenia have blocked government buildings and streets in the capital since Friday, but the demonstrations did not deter lawmakers from voting 77-17 to confirm ex-President Serzh Sargsyan as the new prime minister.

Sargsyan served as Armenia's president from 2008 until stepping down because of term limits. Under a new political system, he now takes a dominant role as prime minister, and the new president plays a mostly ceremonial role.

Protesters see the government change as an attempt to extend Sargsyan's rule in the former Soviet nation. His critics vowed to block Tuesday's parliament session to keep him from being confirmed, but police cordoned off the area hours before the vote.

The protesters' leader, opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian, declared what he called a "velvet revolution," urging demonstrators to keep besieging government ministries, the prosecutor's office, the Central Bank and other official buildings. He also called for spreading protests across Armenia.

Police didn't intervene with the protest during the day, but some clashes erupted later Tuesday. Police said they detained several people who hurled stones at police vehicles.

Police also moved to clear some of the barricades blocking key roadways, leading to some clashes with protesters.

A day earlier, police used tear gas and stun grenades when protesters tried to break through police cordons. Health officials said 46 people, including six police officers, were injured Monday.

Police also detained three demonstrators involved in the brief seizure of the public radio headquarters on Saturday.

Armen Sarkisian, who took over as president from Sargsyan earlier this month, issued a statement Tuesday, warning protesters against violence and unlawful actions.</s>YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenia’s former president shifted into the prime minister’s seat Tuesday as tens of thousands opposition supporters rallied in the capital to protest the move, which they saw as a power grab.

Protesters, who see the government change as an attempt by ex-President Serzh Sargsyan to extend his rule in the former Soviet nation, have been blockading government buildings and streets in the capital since Friday.

About 40,000 opposition supporters rallied at a central square and then marched across town Tuesday.

Sargsyan, who served as Armenia’s president from 2008 until stepping down because of term limits, was confirmed as the new prime minister by a 77-17 vote in parliament on Tuesday. Under a new political system, he now takes a dominant role as prime minister, and the new president plays a mostly ceremonial role.

Demonstrators vowed to block the parliament session, but failed to do so as police had cordoned off the area hours before the vote.

The protesters’ leader, opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian, declared what he called a “velvet revolution,” urging demonstrators to keep besieging government ministries, the prosecutor’s office, the Central Bank and other official buildings.

Police on Tuesday didn’t try to disperse the protesters, and the rally went on peacefully. On Monday, police used tear gas and stun grenades when protesters tried to break through police cordons. Several dozen people were injured in the clashes.

Police also detained three demonstrators involved in the brief seizure of the public radio headquarters on Saturday.</s>Armenian police on Monday clashed with protesters rallying in the capital Yerevan to stop a political transition largely seen as a power grab by former President Serzh Sargsyan.

Earlier this year, Sargsyan ended his second and final term. However, parliament is set to approve him as prime minister on Tuesday as the former Soviet nation shifts to a new parliamentary system of government.

Protesters have accused the former president of designing the transition to continue his hold on power but with a new job description. Thousands of people blocked traffic in the capital, chanting slogans such as "Armenia without Serzh" and "Serzh is a liar."

Read more: Eurasia's fault lines move between sovereignty and democracy

"Our goal right now is to prevent Serzh Sargsyan from becoming the country's leader for a third time without violence and the use of force," said Nikol Pashinian, an opposition leader who led protesters in Yerevan.

But police warned protesters against violating public order, saying there would be consequences. "Such actions can lead to crimes against the citizens' life, health and property," police said in a statement.

Sargsyan rose to power in 2008, when he won the presidential election, an event that triggered mass protests and deadly clashes. Since then, he has managed to balance his pro-Kremlin policy with closer EU ties.

Analysts have described his transition to the prime minister's office as a move practiced often in former Soviet countries.

Read more: Uncertainty, competition mark the space between the EU and Russia

"Obviously, this is a mechanism that allows Armenia's current ruling elite to stay in charge. It's a familiar tactic in the post-Soviet space, where leaders endlessly tinker with their constitutions to perpetuate their power," said Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe think tank.

"Vladimir Putin made a similar gambit when his second term ended in 2008, even though in the Russian case there was no new division of powers."

During Putin's time as prime minister, Russian law was changed to allow a former president to return to the post after a hiatus.

The ruling Republican Party and pro-government Dashnaktsutyun Party formally nominated Sargsyan on Monday for the premiership. Parliament will put his nomination to a vote on Tuesday.

Each evening at 1830 UTC, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.</s>Police have used tear gas at a protest in Armenia.

Demonstrators are protesting against the parliament's decision to nominate ex-president Serzh Sargsyan as the new prime minister - something opposition groups are calling a "power grab".</s>President Armen Sarkissian has signed a decree appointing Serzh Sargsyan as Prime Minister, in line with Article 149.5 of the Constitution.

The National Assembly voted 77 to 17 today to elect the ex-President to the post.
Amid anti-government protests, Armenia's National Assembly swears in former President Serzh Sargsyan as Prime Minister. The opposition call the move a "power grab".