YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–A deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament–Albert Bazeyan–unexpectedly withdrew his resignation on Wednesday after the National Assembly voted to turn it down.
Bazeyan told deputies that he is taking a "political decision" and does not want to leave the parliament in "this difficult situation."I can not move against the parliament’s decision," he said. "It is probably not the time to take off the necktie."
Bazeyan tendered the resignation last week–blaming both the opposition and government for a row over the latter’s privatization policy. On Tuesday–he still insisted he will resign despite calls to stay on made by President Robert Kocharian–Defense Minister Vazgen Sargsyan.