PanARMENIAN.Net - The opposition Armenia and "I Have Honor" parties will not take part in the election of a new President in March, according to a statement published Friday, February 4, refusing to "even indirectly participate in the legitimation of that election."

"The Constitution of Armenia requires that the President of the Republic be impartial, guided by national interests," the statement reads.

"Today Armenia is facing serious internal and external challenges. There is no alternative to national unity and public solidarity. But this government, which has brought the country to the brink of collapse and divided the society, has decided to continue the same way, to be guided not by state, but only by its narrow team interests."

Parliament speaker Alen Simonian has signed a protocol on the termination of the powers of President Armen Sarkissian. According to the country's Constitution, "in the event of removal from office of the President of the Republic, impossibility to exercise the powers thereby, resignation or death thereof, an extraordinary election of the President of the Republic shall be held not earlier than twenty-five and not later than thirty-five days after the office of the President of the Republic becomes vacant."