Sudan army rejects civilian majority in supreme council  

A top official in Sudan's military council has told the BBC it will not allow civilians a majority on the supreme council set to rule the country during a transitional period.

Lt Gen Salah Abdelkhalek said that an equal share of the membership would be an option they might consider.

Protesters are continuing their mass sit-in outside military HQ to demand that the army cede control.

Roadblocks are still mounted across the capital Khartoum where a massive protest was held on Thursday calling for a civilian administration. Protest leaders early this week said the junta was not serious about reaching a deal.

It has fallen, we won.

“The red line will be not a majority of civilians, they will not accept this… maybe half and half, this is the last point. This is the top point.”

Asked about a team of say seven civilians, seven soldiers he responded: “Maybe, maybe: I can satisfy my soldiers, my officers, we are not alone.”

President Omar al-Bashir was ousted from power on 11 April after 30 years.

He was replaced by a military transitional council that promised to relinquish power to civilians within two years - a proposal rejected by protesters.

Protest leaders accuse the military of not negotiating in good faith and promoting the interests of Bashir.

The military leaders say that they need to be in charge to ensure order and security in the country.

The seven-member council is led by Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan.

Opposition leaders on Thursday sent a draft constitutional document to the military council, outlining their proposals for the transition period.

They say they're now awaiting a response. The draft document outlines the duties of a new transitional council, but doesn't specify who would sit on the council.

The African Union revised its 15-day ultimatum set on 15 April for the military leaders to hand over power to civilian rule. They now have 60 days or face suspension from the continental body.