Last May's parliamentary elections, won by Mr Sarkisian's Republican Party, took place without any major incidents.

BBC: Armenia President Serge Sarkisian wins new term

Mr Sarkisian has hinted that he is open to this idea, triggering howls of treason from the opposition.

ECONOMIST: A large NATO country ponders a bigger role in the Caucasus

Official election results in Armenia gave Serzh Sarkisian 53% of the vote, and the main opposition candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian 21.5%.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Armenian poll challenge rejected