Bako Sahakyan introduces new defense minister

President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan on Wednesday introduced the country’s newly appointed minister of defense as he visited the agency to meet with the staff and the military command.

Lieutenant-General Levon Mnatsakanyan replaces Movses Hakobyan, the former defense chief who was appointed a deputy head of the Armenian Armed Forces’ General Headquarters on Monday. He was relieved of duties under a presidential decree earlier today. For his exceptional services to the motherland, Hakobyan was honored with the Order of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.

Thanking the former minister for his considerable accomplishments, the president highly praised his efforts towards raising the army’s efficiency and resolving many other problems in the defense sector. He expressed confidence that Mr Hakobyan would work with the same effectiveness and responsibility in Armenia’s military.

Speaking of the new minister, Mr Sahakyan described him a highly experienced and knowledgeable military professional enjoying a great reputation and respect.

The president said he believes that Mr Mnatsakanyan will work with the same enthusiasm in the new office, directing all his potential to the national army’s strengthening.

According to a press release by the Nagorno-Karabakh presidential press office, the meeting was also attended by Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan and other Government officials.