THE opposition leader spearheading weeks of protests in Armenia has warned the government not to deploy troops in response to demonstrations by

his supporters.

Nikol Pashinian said parliament’s rejection of his bid to lead the country had only galvanised the opposition, and that if troops are sent to the capital Yerevan to quell protests, they “will come to us and join us”.

His supporters have blocked roads, cut access to the country’s main airport and occupied at least one municipal building.

Pashian said: “Today, our actions are much bigger and there is a big crowd reaction from society and from the people.”

Some train services were suspended, and demonstrators are converging in the evening on Yerevan’s central Republic Square, where nightly demonstrations over the past three weeks have attracted crowds of tens of thousands.

The protests have already led to the resignation of prime minister Serzh Sargsyan just days after his appointment – which protestors claimed effectively allowed him to remain as the country’s leader indefinitely.

Sargsyan had led the country as president for 10 years, but stepped down because of term limits.