Bashir's party denies role in Sudan killings

KHARTOUM

Sudan's former ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has denied responsibility for a fatal shooting that left five child protesters dead in the central city of Al-Obeid.

The children died on Monday when unidentified people opened fire on protesters, many of whom were wearing school uniforms and carrying school bags.

"We have nothing to do with the violence," the NCP said in a statement on Tuesday.

It called on the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) "to hold its responsibility in protecting the country and cruising it safely during this sensitive period".

Opposition groups have earlier accused the NCP, which was headed by ousted President Omar al-Bashir, of carrying out Monday's attack for undermining ongoing talks between the TMC and opposition on transition.

The TMC, for its part, has decried Monday's attack on protesters as a "crime".

"What happened in Al-Obeid is a regrettable and upsetting matter and the killing of peaceful citizens is unacceptable and rejected and a crime that requires immediate and deterrent accountability,” TMC head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said in statements carried by the state television.

Sudan has remained in turmoil since April when the military ousted al-Bashir after months of protests against his 30-year rule.