Qatar calls for democratic transition in Sudan after military coup

Qatar has called for a political process in Sudan that fulfils the aspirations of the people after longtime president Omar al-Bashir was ousted by the army.

The gas-rich emirate made the appeal in a statement carried by the state-run media on Thursday.

Doha urged all actors in the Arab African country to "uphold the supreme national interest" and meet Sudanese people's demands of "freedom and justice".

Sudan's Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf earlier announced that Bashir had been detained and that a transitional military council will replace him for a period of two years.

Bashir, who swept to power in a 1989 coup, was one of Africa's longest-serving presidents. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide and war crimes.

The longtime leader had courted various Gulf states in recent years, playing both sides in a Gulf rivalry between Doha and a Saudi-led bloc, without strongly committing to either.

Riyadh has yet to officially comment on the military takeover.

Pro-democracy protesters have spent four months on the streets rallying against Bashir and calling for his ousting.