AKIPRESS.COM - Armenian protesters blocked some routes into the capital, Yerevan, and a road to the airport on Wednesday after Nikol Pashinyan, blocked in parliament from becoming prime minister, announced a nationwide campaign of civil disobedience, Reuters said.

Days of protests in the small ex-Soviet state have created a standoff between Pashinyan’s supporters, who have mobilized thousands of people to take to the streets, and a ruling elite which is determined to hold on to power and still controls the security apparatus.

The ruling Republican Party thwarted Pashinyan’s bid to take over as prime minister on Tuesday.

“We will be staying here,” David, 19, one of those who blocked the road to the airport, told Reuters. Protesters also blocked several junctions in the city center and around some state agencies.

Hundreds of students started to march in Yerevan, waving flags and shouting “Nikol - prime minister!”, while drivers sounded their car horns in support.

“We will paralyze the whole city and the whole country,” said Sargis Babayan, a 22-year-old student wearing a T-shirt with Pashinyan’s portrait.

Police tried to persuade protesters to open roads, but did not use force.