The head of Sudan’s ruling military council has told Sky News that they are determined to hand over control to a civilian government when a “consensus” is reached on how it can be done.

Speaking in the opulent, four-year-old presidential palace built for Omar al Bashir in Khartoum, General Abdel Fattah al Burhan said the proposed two-year transition period could be shortened if there was agreement from all parties.

The general, who has faced stinging criticism from opposition groups for failing to move more quickly towards political change, also confirmed that deposed President Bashir would not be sent to the International Criminal Court, where he is indicted for war crimes, but will be “tried locally.”

He did confirm that prosecutors were already considering corruption charges against the former president, after millions of dollars in cash were found at his home, and that people with “complaints” against him would be listened to by the country’s chief prosecutor.

General Burhan said that he understood why thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against the rule of the Sudanese government and promised to protect them while a deal is reached with their leaders.

Many of the thousands who are camped outside the country’s military headquarters have been fearful that they are about to be attacked by the army.

He said nothing would happen without the protesters’ cooperation.

Critics of the council say they have seen little evidence to suggest that any significant political gestures are being made by the military. Instead they believe that elements within their ranks are determined to maintain the power of the old guard – a position the general denies.

Negotiations between the opposition groups and the military have stalled in recent days with the loose anti-government coalition returning to “square one”, promising more huge demonstrations and a continuing presence on the street.

They are calling for another “million-man march” on Thursday.

A train from the region where the anti-government protests began at the end of last year pulled into Khartoum on Tuesday, bolstering the numbers of people demonstrating against the military council.

Shortly before General Burhan spoke to Sky News, he met a delegation from the US state department, as part of a coordinated attempt by the military leadership to reach out to foreign governments.

“We are assuring them that we have no ambitions to hold power,” he said.

“We are working on transferring power and to transfer it to a democratic civilian government.

“If we reach consensus on how to govern the transitional period through any joint military-civilian council then we will work in that direction,” he added.

Clearly aware that the protesters have genuine grievances and concerns, he tried to send words of reassurance.

“We appreciate the reason they took to the streets, that’s why we will provide them with protection until we reach a deal with their leaders and they leave on their own accord without pressure from any side.

“We are working on clearing the roads, not by force but by cooperation with them so can we can open the roads to traffic.”

Khartoum is mainly gridlocked throughout the day because so many of the main arteries are affected by the mass sit-in and barricades built across the roads.

The International Criminal Court wants Omar al Bashir to appear before them for crimes committed in Darfur in the mid-2000s, but the general ruled that out.

“He will be tried locally,” he said.

He confirmed, however, that the scope of the investigation will be wide.

“The prosecution is taking care of this and is preparing a set of charges relating to the items found in his possession by the authorities [money].

“But if there are people that would like to file other complaints or charges, the prosecution is also ready to listen to them,” he said.

Many in Sudan remain convinced that the old guard and the military will try to subvert any of the changes they are insisting upon, and there is little the general can probably say to change their minds.

Actions will speak louder than words, of course, but General Burhan has gone very public now. If he reneges on his promises it will not be forgotten here.

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