Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan has officially appointed Nikol Pashinyan, leader of the Civil Contract party, as the country's prime minister following the formation of the new government.

The appointment was confirmed in a presidential decree published on the official website of the Armenian presidency, Interfax reports.

"Based on Part 1 of Article 149 of the Constitution, appoint Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister," the decree states.

The appointment comes shortly after the president formally accepted the resignation of the previous government, a constitutional procedure required following the first session of the newly elected National Assembly.