The Latest: Sudanese want 'immediate' move to civilian rule

Sudanese demonstrators march with national flags as they gather during a rally demanding a civilian body to lead the transition to democracy, outside the army headquarters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Saturday, April 13, 2019. The military overthrew President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday after almost four months of protests calling for an end to his nearly 30-year rule. (AP Photo)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The Latest on Sudan, where protests forced long-ruling President Omar al-Bashir from power last week (all times local):

11 a.m.

Organizers of the protests in Sudan that forced long-ruling President Omar al-Bashir from power are calling on the military to "immediately and unconditionally" hand power to a transitional civilian government that would rule for four years.

The political parties and movements behind the four months of protests said in a joint statement late Saturday that they will remain in the streets until their demands are met. They say the handover to civilian rule would be the "first step toward the fall of the regime."

The army has appointed a military council that it says will rule for two years or less while elections are being organized. The council met with a delegation of protest organizers on Saturday.

The protesters fear that the military, which is dominated by al-Bashir appointees, will cling to power or appoint one of its own to rule the country.

___

9:30 a.m.

Saudi Araba and the United Arab Emirates have issued statements in support of Sudan's transitional military council after mass protests forced longtime President Omar al-Bashir from power.

Saudi Arabia says it "stands by the Sudanese people" and calls on all Sudanese "to give priority to the national interest" of their country. The UAE called on the Sudanese "to work for protecting legitimacy and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power."

Saudi King Salman ordered an unspecified package of aid for Sudan that includes petroleum products, wheat and medicine.

In separate statements issued late Saturday, Saudi Arabia and the UAE specifically expressed support for Sudan's transitional council formed by the military. The UAE said it welcomed the swearing-in of Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan on Friday as head of that council.