Newly appointed Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan is introduced to the command staff of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army (Source: The Office of the NKR President)

(YEREVAN)–Lieutenant-General Levon Mnatsakanyan has been appointed defense minister and commander of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army, replacing Lieutenant-General Movses Hakobyan by order of presidential decree.

President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakian signed the decrees on June 15. Outgoing defense minister Lieutenant-General Movses Hakobyan was awarded the Grigor Lousavorich Order for his exclusive services rendered to Artsakh, also by presidential decree.

President Sahakian visited the Artsakh defense ministry on June 17 where he introduced the newly-appointed defense minister to the command staff of the army. He also expressed his appreciation to outgoing Minister Hakobyan for his work, emphasizing that under his command the Defense Army had reached a new level of combat readiness.

Sahakian also noted that Hakobyan would continue to contribute his experiences and knowledge as the new deputy head of the general staff of the Republic of Armenia’s Armed Forces.

Speaking on newly-appointed Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan, Sahakian qualified him as an experienced general with profound knowledge who is held in authority and respect within the army, and who has shown the quality of his work in all his assumed positions.

President Sahakian said that he was confident that Mnatsakanyan would continue to work with the same fervor as defense minister and Defense Army commander, directing his skills and abilities towards reinforcing the army and raising its effectiveness.

Defense Minister of the Republic of Armenia Seyran Ohanyan was also present at the meeting, where a number of issues were discussed, including army building and cooperation between the two Armenian states.