Qatari businessmen are expected to visit Armenia next year to explore investment opportunities in the former Soviet republic following an invitation from Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, a Qatar Chamber official has said.

New Armenian premier Nikol Pashinyan on Monday assured Russia's Vladimir Putin that Yerevan's ties with Moscow will remain close following his rise to power on the back of mass anti-government protests.

New Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who was swept to power this week on the back of popular protests, said on Thursday he had sacked the heads of the country's police and security service.

Armenia has been in upheaval after street protests against the government prompted the resignation of the prime minister.

Armenia's political crisis deepened Wednesday as opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan called for protesters to block key transport links after lawmakers rejected his bid to become prime minister.

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan on Monday was formally nominated for the post of prime minister by his supporters, inching closer to victory after two weeks of protests that transformed the country's political landscape.

Armenia's acting head of government Karen Karapetyan on Friday rebuffed talks proposed by opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan who says he is the only possible candidate for prime minister.

Armenia's Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian resigned on Monday after mass protests against his election, seen as a blatant power grab by the opposition.

Protesters accuse Serzh Sarksyan of clinging to power after he was appointed premier this month following 10 years as president.

Police in the Armenian capital Yerevan detained dozens of anti-government demonstrators on Thursday -- the seventh day of large-scale protests against ex-president Serzh Sarkisian's election as prime minister.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in the centre of the Armenian capital on Tuesday to protest as parliament voted to allow former president Serzh Sarksyan to become prime minister in the former Soviet republic.

Police used stun grenades against protesters who sought to break through a barbed wire cordon in the centre of the capital Yerevan in an effort to get to the parliament building during rallies against former president Serzh Sarkisian.