Khartoum [Sudan], Apr 28 (ANI): Former Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi on Saturday called for Sudan to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) which indicted former president Omar al-Bashir earlier this month.Shortly after addressing a meeting between the protesters and the military to discuss the implementation of civilian rule, Al Jazeera quoted Mahdi as saying the army's removal of Bashir was "not a military coup".Mahdi is the leader of Opposition, headed by the National Umma Party that has backed the month-long anti-government protests in Sudan.Rashid al-Sayed, a spokesman for the protest movement, was quoted as saying that the meeting was a confidence-building step between both sides, which are "partners in the revolution" and a second round was due later on Saturday.He added that the military council had vowed that a protest camp outside army headquarters "will not be dispersed by force"."Today, we have taken positive steps and we expect to reach an agreement satisfactory to all parties," said Ayman Nimir, a negotiator for Sudan's opposition alliance, the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces."We expect to receive a response from the military council regarding the formation of a sovereign council within hours," Nimir noted.Meanwhile, Shams al-Deen al-Kabashi, the spokesman for the military council, said the talks were "transparent"."We are very optimistic that we will reach a final conclusion that will be announced to the Sudanese people as soon as possible," he briefed during a press conference.Omar Bashir was removed in a military coup on April 11. He was arrested and later moved to the maximum security Kober prison here, which has been notorious for holding political prisoners during Bashir's 30-year-long reign.Following the ousting of the president, the army took power into its own hands through a 10-member transitional military council.The protesters, who have kept up the pressure around-the-clock outside army headquarters for weeks, are now demanding the council step down and make way for a civilian government.The protesters, who have kept up the pressure around-the-clock outside army headquarters for weeks, are now demanding the council step down and make way for a civilian government.The Hague-based justice organisation wanted al-Bashir for his prominent role in inflicting genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the conflict in Darfur in 2003. (ANI)

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