Sudan's military council says foils coup attempt

KHARTOUM - Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) announced on Thursday that a coup attempt planned by officers was thwarted, official SUNA news agency reported.

"The security authorities have foiled a coup attempt planned by a group of officers in service and retired officers belonging to the armed forces, national intelligence and security service," Jamal Omer, head of the TMC's security committee, was quoted as saying.

The failed coup aimed to "cripple the agreement reached between the military council and the opposition Freedom and Change Alliance," Omer noted.

A total of 12 officers have been arrested, with seven of them in service and the rest retired, he said, adding four non-commissioned officers have also been arrested.

The authorities are working to arrest the others, including the leader of the foiled coup attempt, Omer said.

On July 5, the TMC and Freedom and Change Alliance reached a deal on establishing transitional authorities to jointly govern the country.

The two sides agreed on a sovereignty council by rotation and a civilian government of independent national competence.