YEREVAN. – This hunger strike gave me the imperative of a resurrection for the homeland and faith; I hope that our fellow citizens likewise will sense this imperative. Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party Chairman, former FM Raffi Hovannisian—who was declared runner-up to the winner, incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, as a result of the presidential election that was conducted on February 18, but who claims to be the real winner in the vote and who declared a hunger strike on March 10 at capital city Yerevan’s Liberty Square—stated this on Sunday at the square, as he declared about ending his 21-day hunger strike (PHOTOS).

“I want for us to have a national unity on April 9 [that is, the day when President Serzh Sargsyan is scheduled to formally swear in for a second term in office and, also, when Hovannisian himself plans to swear in, at Liberty Square, as Armenia’s new president]. I will assess all the steps, including those of Mr. Sargsyan, according to their merit. We must make sure that we have a united, harmonious and an integrated people. Happy Easter!” Hovannisian stressed in particular. 

To the remark that President Sargsyan likewise will attend Sunday’s Divine Liturgy, which will be served at Holy Etchmiadzin, and therefore whether they could meet one another there, the ex-presidential candidate responded as follows:

“I am going [there] to say my prayer, and I do not look at who goes where; this is my family’s decision. I am going [there] as a faithful, to the Holy Resurrection, [and] never for a political talk.”