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Sudan announces 48-hour delay on formation of iterim ruling body

Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi
Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi
KHARTOUM, Aug 19 (KUNA) -- The appointment of a sovereign council to rule Sudan until elections are held has been delayed for 48 hours, the country's ruling military council said on Monday.
The formation of an 11-member joint ruling body was called off at the behest of Sudan's opposition coalition because of last-minute disputes over appointees, Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi, a spokesman for the military council, told KUNA.
A landmark power-sharing deal signed earlier between the ruling military and protestors paves the way for a transitional government and eventual elections. As per the agreement, a sovereign council will be the highest authority in the country but executive powers will rest in the hands of cabinet ministers.
According to the deal, the opposition coalition is allowed to choose five members of the council and the military another quintet, with the two sides jointly selecting a civilian as the eleventh member.
Former United Nations economist Abdullah Hamdok has been named as Sudan's new prime minister, ahead of the August 28 announcement of a newly-formed cabinet. (end) mam.nam