NNA - Sudan's political parties and military signed a framework deal on Monday that they said would pave the way for two-year civilian-led transition towards elections and end a sometimes violent standoff triggered by a coup in October 2021.

But the deal has been opposed by protest groups that are against negotiations with the military, and by Islamist factions loyal to the regime of former leader Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019.

Under the framework agreement, the military - which has led the government since the coup - agreed it would only be represented on a security and defence council headed by a prime minister.

The outline pact set no date for a final agreement or the appointment of a prime minister, and left sensitive issues including transitional justice and security sector reform for further talks. -- Reuters

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