ARMENIAN OPPOSITION WARNED TO KEEP PROTESTS LAWFUL

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22 February 2008

Opposition protests in the capital of Armenia are expected to continue
for a third day. The participants overnight seemed to be having a fine
time. But they have been warned by the authorities to stay within the
law. They insist they will not leave Erevan’s Liberty Square until the
victory of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan in a presidential election
is overturned.

Former President Levon Ter Petrosyan said: "We’ll stay here for as long
as it takes, until the final victory. Everything we do is legal. We
will not allow any violations of the law. We will prove that law can
prevail in this country."

Western election monitors said the vote on Tuesday was broadly
fair. Armenia is watched closely as potential energy supply transit
territory.

Official results gave Sarkysan just under 53 percent of the vote.

Sarkysan said: "We"ll need to persuade (the opposition protesters)
not to violate law and order, not to violate others’ rights. But if
they do, then the law-enforcement bodies will need to restore it."

The protesters complain the election was rigged.