Armenian opposition protesters rally in Yerevan after talks called off

The leader of the Armenian opposition is holding talks with parliamentary factions in order to secure support for his candidacy as the country's next prime minister, as opposition supporters held rallies in the Armenian capital.

Nikol Pashinian spearheaded two weeks of protests against Serzh Sargsyan, who was the country's president for 10 years before taking the prime minister's seat earlier this month. Faced with massive protests against the move Sargsyan resigned on Monday.

The Armenian parliament is expected to vote on the new prime minister in the coming days.

Pashinian said on Thursday he met with the leader of the parliament's second-largest faction to seek his support. Sargsyan's party holds a majority in the parliament, however.

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters rallied in the Armenian capital Wednesday, calling for the leader of the protest to become prime minister.

The Armenian parliament will elect the country's new prime minister on May 1, according to a statement posted on the parliament's website on Thursday.

Armenia, which has been gripped by a political crisis for two weeks, is then expected to hold new parliamentary elections.

Serzh Sargsyan quit as prime minister on Monday.

"Armenia is starting a new chapter in its history," Armenian President Armen Sarkissian said in a statement.