President Armen Sarkissian of Armenia resigned Sunday, saying the country's constitution does not give him sufficient powers to influence events.

"This is not an emotionally-driven decision and it comes from a specific logic," Sarkissian noted in his statement.

"The president does not have the necessary tools to influence the important processes of foreign and domestic policy in difficult times for the people and the country," he added.

"I hope that eventually the constitutional changes will be implemented and the next president and presidential administration will be able to operate in a more balanced environment," the statement added.

The parliament has already received the letter of the resignation. Armen Sarkissian's resignation from the post of President is considered accepted once it was submitted to the parliament.

Pursuant to Article 144 of the Constitution of Armenia, in the event of the President's dismissal, the impossibility of holding this office, resignation or death, the powers of the President shall be exercised by the NA speaker until the newly elected President assumes office.

This means that NA speaker Alen Simonyan will temporarily carry out the duties of the President until a special election of the new President of Armenia.