YEREVAN (Reuters)–Armenian President Robert Kocharian told politicians on Friday he was in control of the former Soviet state and planned to stay in power.
"I will be out of the republic for a few days and I want to tell to those politicians and parties who have got excited about an early presidential election not to cherish such a hope," he said in televised commen’s before leaving for the World Economic Forum in Davos.
"The country is being managed and the situation is under control," he added.
Armenia’s political life was thrown into turmoil in October when Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan–parliamentary speaker Karen Demirchian and six other officials were killed in an attack on parliament by gunmen led by nationalist radical Nairi Hunanian.
Some politicians say the shootings weakened Kocharian’s position. They say the slain premier was the real power and Kocharian should step down and set a date for a new presidential election.
An investigation into the killings led to the arrests of 17 people–including one member of parliament–a former head of the president’s administration and a deputy head of Armenia’s state television.
Leaders of opposition political parties have said it was necessary to curb the president’s constitutional rights.