Yerevan, Safar 7, 1440, Oct 16, 2018, SPA -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced Tuesday he is stepping down from office, initiating a process intended to force new parliamentary elections. Armenia is entering a new stage, Pashinyan said in a televised interview. Armenian law requires parliament to elect a new head of government within 14 days of the prime minister stepping down. If it fails to vote in favor of a new head of government after two attempts, then new parliamentary polls are called. Pashinyan has essentially ensured that a new candidate won't be elected to lead the government, because he has threatened to send his supporters back onto the streets should any of the parties in parliament put up a candidate for the position. -- SPA 21:55 LOCAL TIME 18:55 GMT 0041 www.spa.gov.sa/w767743