Armenian law-enforcement agencies urge citizens to refrain from actions that will threaten national security

YEREVAN, February 25. /ARKA/. Armenia's National Security Service and the Armenian Police called today on citizens urging them to refrain from actions that will threaten national security and warned that any illegal action will receive an adequate response.

“We urge our citizens not to give in to provocative actions, to maintain law, order and vigilance. The state administration bodies of Armenia fully fulfill their functions,” both agencies said in separate statements.

'Within the limits of its powers, the National Security Service continues to take the necessary measures in connection with the situation, to ensure and protect the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Armenia,' it said.

For its part, the Armenian police said that they ensure the maintenance of public order and public safety in accordance with their functions.

“In this situation, the police call on everyone to strictly maintain public order, to be vigilant and restrained, not to succumb to various provocations,” it said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has fired today the chief of staff of the armed forces Onik Gasparyan after the leadership of Armenia’s armed forces called for his resignation. Later Pashinyan responded by calling on his supporters to rally at downtown Yerevan square.

The military officials’ statement came amid renewed protests against Pashinyan and his government, led by a coalition of opposition parties who also have been calling on Pashinyan step down blaming him for Armenia's defeat in last year's war with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. -0-