A senior US diplomat visiting Khartoum on Tuesday met leaders on opposing sides of the military coup that toppled the Sudanese government and provoked condemnation around the world.
US assistant secretary of state Molly Phee was told by coup leader Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan that steps were being taken to release those arrested in the three weeks since the October 25 coup, state news agency Suna reported.
Those facing criminal charges would not be released and would eventually be tried, Gen Al Burhan said.
Among those detained is ousted prime minister Abdalla Hamdok, who has been under house arrest since the coup.
Mr Hamdok's discussions with Ms Phee, who is on a three-day visit to Sudan, centred on restoring its democratic transition.
The US embassy said Ms Phee also met Mariam Al Mahdi, the foreign minister in the civilian-led government toppled by Gen Al Burhan.
The meeting was meant "to show US support for the civilian-led transitional government", the ministry said.
Last month’s coup ended a transitional partnership between the military and civilian pro-democracy groups, which organised months of street protests against dictator Omar Al Bashir, eventually forcing the military to remove him in April 2019.
The US has strongly stated its opposition to the coup and insisted the democratic transition be put back on track. It has suspended $700 million in much-needed aid to Sudan in protest.
But efforts at mediating a way out of the deepening crisis have stalled, with Gen Al Burhan moving to consolidate the military’s grip on power, partially with help from veterans of Al Bashir’s 29-year regime.
Gen Al Burhan, who was regarded as close to Al Bashir, last week appointed himself chairman of a new ruling Sovereign Council.
The 14-member body met for the second time on Tuesday and discussed the appointment of a new prime minister, Suna reported.
Besides dismissing Mr Hamdok’s government, Gen Al Burhan has also detained members of his Cabinet, declared an indefinite state of emergency, and suspended the work of a state commission given the task of dismantling Al Bashir’s legacy.
He has ordered the arrest of scores of critics, including journalists, activists and trade and professional union leaders.
Gen Al Burhan has repeatedly claimed that the military’s takeover was not a coup, but a “correction” of the democratic transition.
Mass protest rallies planned in Khartoum
Local resistance committees in Khartoum, meanwhile, are planning mass rallies in the capital on Wednesday to demand that the military steps aside and allows civilians to take power.
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in demonstrations across the country on Saturday. They were met by what activists described as excessive use of force, with security forces using live rounds, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse them.
At least eight protesters were killed in the latest rallies and about 200 wounded, a union of medics linked to the pro-democracy movement said.
The latest deaths take to at least 25 the number of people killed by security forces since the coup. At least 500 have been wounded.
With additional reporting from Reuters
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Brief scores:
Huesca 0
Real Madrid 1
Bale 8'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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