Tens of thousands demand civilian rule in Sudan

In Sudan, seven people have been killed as tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets to demand civilian rule in the first mass rally since a bloody crackdown on demonstrators. 

The "million-man" march yesterday was seen as a test for protest organisers after their push for the civilian rule was hit by the June 3 raid on a Khartoum protest camp and a subsequent internet blackout that curbed their ability to mobilise support.

Police fired tear gas on protesters approaching the Presidential Palace after organisers called for a march on the building that houses



offices of the ruling transitional military council. 

The official SUNA news agency quoting a Health Ministry official said seven were killed in the protests, without elaborating how they died or who they were.

It said that another 181 people were injured, including 27 with bullets.

Dozens of demonstrators were killed and hundreds injured when armed men in military fatigues stormed the sit-in on June 3 outside army headquarters, shooting and beating protesters who had camped there since April 6.