YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–"The President has accepted my resignation–effective at the end of September or any time before–as soon as he can designate someone to take over my responsibilities," Senior Advisor to Levon Ter-Petrosyan Jirair Libaridian told journalists at news conference held Monday in Yerevan.
Noting that the reason for resignation is purely personal–he added that he had gladly agreed to continue in the capacity of Ambassador-at-Large.
Libaridian congratulated the Armenian people–and thanked the diplomatic corps of Armenia for their support.
Ter-Petrosyan attended the final part of the news conference. He expressed regret at Libaridian’s resignation and emphasized his contribution to Armenian statehood–settlement to the Karabakh conflict–rapprochement in Armenia-Turkey relations as well as in the matter of carrying out confidential diplomatic activities with European countries–the United States–Iran–Russia and Georgia.
Ter-Petrosyan said there had been no final decision made on Libaridian’s possible appointment as Ambassador the United Nations.
Libaridian–52–is a US citizen. "After almost seven years of working in Armenia–beginning in January 1991–time has come for my family to be together again," Libaridian told journalists.
Libaridian has held various positions including first deputy foreign minister. He actively participated in the negotiations on the Karabakh conflict.
When asked who is going to replace him–Libaridian said that "this is a secret."
Libaridian also touched on several other issues–including the Karabakh conflict. Assessing the issue of Nagorno-Karabagh–Libaridian stated–"We have succeeded in two things: first–we have contributed to the continuation of the negotiations–which–in turn–contributed to the prolonging the cease-fire–and the second–we have managed to add to the methodology of the mediators’ activities. Otherwise–for example–a much worse document could have been signed in Lisbon."