Sudan\\\'s military and opposition agree in principle on joint council

Sudan's military rulers and an opposition coalition have agreed in principle on the formation of a joint body to lead a transition from 30 years of rule by Omar al-Bashir.

Iran Press/Africa: The two sides were holding their first formal discussions as opposition groups and protesters push for a rapid handover to civilian rule following the ouster of al-Bashir earlier this month, CGTN reported.

Two sources said there was agreement over the formation of a joint council, but not over how many seats either side should have.

Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC), which ousted and arrested al-Bashir after months of protests, has said it will rule for up to two years ahead of elections.

Angry citizens on Saturday attacked a meeting for the opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) in the Sudanese capital Khartoum which resulted in the injury of more than 60 PCP members, besides arrest of around 140 of the party members for hours.

The PCP participated in the government of the ousted al-Bashir at the executive and legislative levels and was a supporter of the national dialogue initiative.

The PCP political secretary Idris Suleiman said in a statement Saturday that a small group of young people was responsible for attacking the party's meeting.

The Sudanese military toppled Bashir on 11 April but demonstrators, led by the Sudanese Professionals Association, have vowed to stay on the streets until there is a move to civilian rule.

Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes in the country's western Darfur region. 208/103

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