Armenian opposition leader calls for strike after losing PM vote

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has urged his supporters to launch a campaign of civil disobedience and block key transport links including an airport after he failed in his bid to get elected as prime minister.

"From 8:15 am tomorrow (Wednesday) all roads should be blocked, I announce a general strike," Pashinyan told tens of thousands of supporters gathered in the capital Yerevan's Republic Square.

"A revolution of love and tolerance is continuing," he said, also urging people to turn out for a huge rally Wednesday evening as the crowds chanted "Nikol! Nikol!".

The parliament had voted 45 in favour to 55 against Pashinyan, with the ruling Republican Party rejecting his candidacy after hours of deliberations during a day-long extraordinary session.

"The political force which declared a war against its own people has destroyed itself," Pashinyan said in parliament after the vote.

"No one will be able to take victory away from the people." The Republican Party headed by the ousted former prime minister Sezh Sarkisian withheld support for the protest leader despite tens of thousands massing in the streets and Pashinyan warning that the lawmakers' unwillingness to back him could lead to a "political tsunami."