KHARTOUM, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The signing of political deal between Susan's military and protesters was hailed by both signing sides at home and concerning parties abroad as a concrete step towards the handover of power to a civilian administration in the transitional period.

On Wednesday, after marathon talks that lasted for more than 13 hours at Corinthia Hotel here in the capital, Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition Freedom and Change Alliance signed an 22-clause agreement on the establishment of the government structures and institutions during the transitional period.

The clauses stipulate that the two parties must work on the basis of partnership, good intention and stoppage of hostile address, and grant the Freedom and Change Alliance the right to select the prime minister of the civilian government.

The deal is aimed at breaking the political deadlock that has crippled the northeastern African nation since the army ousted late president Omar al-Bashi in April, following mass protests against his three-decade reign.

The TMC's Deputy Chairman Mohamed Hamdan Daqlu signed on behalf of the council, while Ahmed Rabie, a leading member in the Freedom and Change Alliance, stood for the opposition.

"Signing the deal is a historic moment in the life of the Sudanese nation and initiates a new era of partnership," Daqlu said in a speech following the signing ceremony, noting that the Sudanese people have long been waiting to embrace freedom and justice.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Al-Amin, a leading member in the Freedom and Change Alliance, urged all parties to refrain from whatever may divide the Sudanese people and noted that the new government will serve "all the Sudanese people without discrimination."

The consensus between the TMC and the Freedom and Change Alliance on establishing transitional authorities to jointly govern the country was reached on July 5, under mediation by Ethiopia and the African Union.

The AU envoy Mohamed Hacen Lebatt said during Wednesday's signing ceremony that the deal paves the way for the coming phase and opens a new era to reach the constitutional declaration.

Ethiopian envoy Mahmud Dirir described the signing of the deal as "a great moment for Sudan," saying that "the Sudanese people deserve this great day."

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday called on the TMC and the Freedom and Change Alliance to continue their dialogue and formulate a constitutional agreement following their signing of a political accord.

"It is important that both sides now continue their discussions on outstanding issues and promptly conclude a constitutional agreement as foreseen," EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Maja Kocijancic said in a statement.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi congratulated the Sudanese people on signing the political agreement on Wednesday, saying it "paves the way for the beginning of a new course in Sudan."

Sisi's remarks came during his talks in Cairo with visiting Sudanese army Chief of Staff Hashem Ahmed Abdel-Muttalib Babakr, where they discussed the latest developments in Sudan, Egypt's presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in the statement.

The two sides are currently working on a constitutional declaration that is expected to be signed on Friday. Enditem

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