MOSCOW 

Russia recognizes the ruling military council in Sudan, a senior diplomat said Tuesday.

In response to a question on Sudan, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Moscow recognizes and is in touch with representatives of the Military Transitional Council (MTC), state-run news agency TASS reported.

Last Thursday, the Sudanese army announced the ouster of Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled Sudan since 1989, following months of popular protests against his rule.

It also announced the establishment of a military council to run the nation’s affairs for a two-year “transitional period”.

On Saturday, MTC chief Lieutenant-General Abdel-Fattah Burhan pledged to carry out wide-ranging political and economic reforms.

In a televised address, Burhan said that the two-year transitional period would conclude with “free and fair” presidential elections.