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AFP
Protesters returned to the streets Friday
The leaders of the Sudanese military coup have warned the protesters still in the streets that there would be a "zero tolerance" for unrest.
A spokesman insisted that the army was not looking for power and that the future of the protesters in Sudan would be decided by the protesters – but that the army would keep the order public.
Protesters are still in Khartoum, fearing that the coup leaders are too close to the deposed ruler, Omar al-Bashir.
The army said it would not extradite Mr. Bashir for war crimes.
Mr. Bashir is the subject of two international arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He is accused of organizing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region of Sudan between 2003 and 2008, allegations he denies.
However, he could be tried in Sudan, according to the military council set up after the coup d'etat.
Mr Bashir, one of the world's oldest leaders until his ousting Thursday, is currently in detention.
Its fall follows months of unrest that began in December in the face of rising prices. At least 38 people died during the demonstrations.
What does the army offer to protesters?
The army announced that it would oversee a transition period followed by elections. In this context, it imposes a state of emergency of three months, with suspension of the constitution.
The military council will be in place for up to two years, but could last only one month if the transition to a civilian regime is smooth.
- Are military takeovers on the rise in Africa?
General Omar Zain al-Abidin, who heads the political committee of the military council, said on Friday: "The solutions will be worked out by the protesters.
"You, the people, will bring solutions to all economic and political problems.We came here without ideology, we came here to maintain order and security and give the opportunity to the people of Sudan to achieve the change she aspires.
"We have no ambition to hold the reins of power, we are here to provide an all-inclusive umbrella.
"Our main responsibility is to maintain law and order," he added. "We will have zero tolerance for any wrongdoing in any corner of the country."
Friday later, the official media said the army had asked political parties to nominate representatives for a meeting with coup leaders at a later date.
Why are protesters so suspicious?
Thousands of people remained camped near the army headquarters in the capital Friday, ignoring the curfew declared by the army.
They require a transition to a civilian regime before returning home.
The new military council is headed by Defense Minister Awad Ibn Auf, who was previously considered well placed to succeed Bashir.
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During the Darfur conflict, he was head of military intelligence. The United States imposed sanctions on him in 2007 for his alleged support of the militia accused of atrocities in Darfur.
On Thursday, Sara Abdeljalil, a member of the Sudanese Professionals' Association (ASP) who led the protests, called the new military council a "continuation of the same regime."
"We must therefore continue the struggle and peaceful resistance," she said.
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Reacting to the army's statement on Friday, Tagreed Abdin, a resident of Khartoum, told the BBC: "We do not know who is behind the military council.
"We are used to hearing the government take the double word, but we must see if they are really interested in dialogue and listening to the voice of the people."
A precarious moment full of possibility
Fergal Keane, publisher BBC Africa
The army said it had ruled out a violent response to protests before Bashir's overthrow, as she did not want any loss of life. It will be difficult (of course, not impossible) to come back to this point.
Then there is the question of the dynamics within the army. The youngest officers and base members will have been encouraged by their role and the public's reception at the events. Will they be content to allow Mr. Bashir's generation to monopolize military power?
And there is the economic crisis caused by mismanagement, corruption and the loss of oil revenues. Even the regime's friends in the Middle East and Asia will think twice about bailouts if it sounds like a new version of the old venality and brutality. This is an important pressure.
It's an exciting time. Just think of the role of women in all of this, social media and civil society. This is what is happening in Sudan, but the importance of these forces working peacefully for change is universal. Yes, it is very precarious, but also full of possibilities.
What is the reaction abroad?
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for "absolute calm and the utmost restraint of all" and called for a transition that meets the "democratic aspirations" of the people. The UN Security Council is to discuss the situation at a closed meeting on Friday.
British Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jeremy Hunt stated that a two-year military council was "not the answer" and called for a "rapid shift to inclusive, representative civil leadership".
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The African Union condemned the takeover by the army, saying it was not an appropriate response to the challenges facing Sudan and the aspirations of its people.
Russia, which twice hosted Bashir despite the imposed international travel ban, called for calm.
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