Sudan crisis: Military council arrests former government members

Sudan's transitional military council has arrested members of the former government and promised not to disperse protesters.

A spokesman also urged the opposition to pick the next prime minister and vowed to implement their choice.

Months of protests in Sudan led to the ouster and arrest of long-time leader Omar al-Bashir on Thursday.

Demonstrators have vowed to stay on the streets until there is an immediate move to civilian rule.

A sit-in is continuing outside the defence ministry in the capital Khartoum.

In a press conference on Sunday, spokesman Maj Gen Shams Ad-din Shanto said the military council was "ready to implement" whatever civilian government the opposition parties agreed.

"We won't appoint a PM. They'll choose one," he said, referring to opposition and protest groups.

He also said the army would not remove protesters from their sit-in by force, but called on protesters "to let normal life resume" and stop unauthorised roadblocks.

"Taking up arms will not be tolerated," he added.

The military council also announced a raft of decisions, including:

New heads of the army and the police

A new head of the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS)

Committees to fight corruption, and to investigate the former ruling party

The lifting of all media restrictions and censorship

The release of police and security officers detained for supporting protesters

A review of diplomatic missions, and the dismissal of Sudan's ambassadors to the US and to the UN in Geneva

BBC

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