Sudan's ruling council, rebel leaders agree on peace talks roadmap

Sudan's ruling council and rebel leaders have agreed on a roadmap for peace talks that are expected to begin in October and last about two months, officials from both sides said on Wednesday. The council, a transitional government, has made peace-making with rebels fighting Khartoum one of its main priorities as it is a key condition for the country's removal from the United States' sponsors of terrorism list.

The council took over the reins of government in August after military and civilian parties and protest groups signed a three-year power-sharing deal after months of strife following the removal of long-ruling authoritarian president Omar al-Bashir in April. Sudanese officials and rebels signed the initial agreement in front of diplomats to set a two-month period for talks, starting on Oct. 14 and running until the middle of December.