UNITED NATIONS, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Thursday voiced concern over the relapse of situation in Sudan between the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and leaders of a protest movement.
Asked about the situation in Sudan, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said: "I think it's important that the authorities prioritize dialogue in order to settle the differences that may exist and that any form of violence should be avoided that could undermine the safety and security of all citizens, as well as the stability of the country."
He added that it is important that people's rights to demonstrate peacefully should be fully respected.
"We've seen the pictures, we've seen the reports of the violence," he told a regular press briefing.
In a statement made by Dujarric on Wednesday, Guterres commended the progress in the negotiations in Sudan, and the secretary-general urged the parties to maintain "the positive momentum" and reach agreement on the remaining issues of power-sharing.
TMC Chairman Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan on Thursday announced the suspension of the talks for 72 hours after violent clashes between security officials and protesters in the capital city of Khartoum, and set several conditions for the resumption of talks.
On Wednesday, the TMC and the opposition Freedom and Change Alliance agreed on powers of the sovereignty council, the council of ministers and the legislative council. The two sides also agreed that the transitional period duration would be three years, with the first six months to be allotted for achieving peace all over Sudan.
The TMC is tasked with running the country's affairs following the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir.
