Sudan to Hold Mass Rally Amid Standoff

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) -- Sudan's protest movement plans to hold a mass rally as it steps up pressure on the military to hand over power to civilians following last month's overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir.

The Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, a coalition led by the Sudanese Professionals Association, has called for a million-person march to begin at 1 p.m. (1100 GMT) Thursday.

The protesters have been holding negotiations with the transitional military council over the creation of a new sovereign council, but the two sides remain divided over how large a role the generals should have in it.

The protesters fear the military intends to hold onto power or cut a deal with other factions that would leave much of al-Bashir's regime intact.

(KA)