New Armenian Prime Minister appointed

Karen Karapetyan was named the prime minister of Armenia today, a week after the abrupt resignation of his predecessor, the presidential press service said.

Armenia's ruling Republican Party approved Karapetyan’s candidacy on September 8 following the resignation of Hovik Abrahamyan. The new prime minister has 20 days to form a cabinet.

Karapetyan, 53, is a former head of national gas distributing company ArmRosGazprom, and was mayor of the capital Yerevan from 2010-2011.

He was deputy CEO of Russian gas producer Gazprom's Mezhregiongaz unit before Tuesday's appointment.