Sudan's opposition alliance and ruling military council said after talks on Saturday that they expected to agree on the formation of a new body to lead the country's transition from 30 years of autocratic rule by Omar al-Bashir.
Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) ousted andarrested former Bashir on April 11 following months of protests, saying itwould rule for up to two years ahead of elections.
Anti-Bashir opposition groups and protesters who have keptup a sit-in outside the defence ministry want a civilian-led transitionalcouncil with military representation.
Under an umbrella group known as the Declaration of Freedomand Change Forces, they met the TMC on Saturday to try to resolve the standoff.
"Today we have taken positive steps and we expect toreach an agreement satisfactory to all parties," said Ayman Nimir, anopposition negotiator.
"We expect to receive a response from the military councilregarding the formation of a sovereign council within hours."
A TMC spokesman, Shams El Din Kabbashi, also said the talkshad gone well.
"God willing the talks will continue this evening andwe are very optimistic that we can reach a final result and announce it to theSudanese people," he said.
The TMC has dismissed and arrested some former officials,announced anti-corruption measures and promised to give executive authority toa civilian government, but has previously signalled that ultimate authoritywill remain in its hands.
Bashir was overthrown and detained by the military after 16weeks of protests triggered by a deepening economic crisis.
