Armenian pro-presidential parties win parliament vote

YEREVAN, May 19 (Reuters) Armenian parties which support President Robert Kocharyan have won last week's parliamentary election, the central election commission said today.

citing the first official results.

The Republican party, led by Prime Minister Serzh Sarksyan who is the favoured successor to Kocharyan, won 65 seats in the 131-seat parliament, according to election officials.

The pro-presidential Prosperous Armenia came second with 25 seats followed by Dashnaktsutiun with 16 and Orinats Yerkir (Country of laws) with 9.

The vote, which took place last Saturday, is regarded as a test of democracy in the Caucasian country and a dress rehearsal for a presidential contest next year.

REUTERS AGL VC1816