ADDIS ABABA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Wednesday urged the Sudanese military to hand over power to a civilian-led authority within 60 days.

Recalling its previous call made at a meeting on the 15th April to the Sudanese military to step aside and hand over power to a transitional civilian-led political authority within 15 days, the Peace and Security Council of AU in its latest meeting on Tuesday extended the deadline for an additional period of up to 60 days for the military in the Sudan to hand over power to a civilian-led authority.

The Council noted with deep regret that the Sudanese military has not stepped aside and has not handed over power to a civilian-led transitional Authority by the expiry of the period of 15 days set by the Council's previous decision.

It acknowledged the gradual progress made so far by the Sudanese parties in the negotiations towards an agreement on the modalities, structures and timelines of a civilian-led Transitional Authority that will lead the process to the organization and holding of free, fair and transparent elections.

In this respect, the Council encouraged the Sudanese stakeholders to continue to pursue constructive dialogue to ensure the setting up of the Civilian-led Transitional Authority in the Sudan, without further delay.

Extending the deadline for 60 days, the Council urged that the military and the Sudanese stakeholders should continue to work together towards urgently completing the negotiations and agreeing on the composition of a civilian-led Transitional Authority.

It further called on the Chairperson of the AU Commission to continue to pursue and intensify his engagement and interaction in support of the efforts deployed by the Sudanese stakeholders, with a view to reach an agreement on an inclusive and consensual civilian-led Transition.

It underscored the need for all Sudanese stakeholders to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any act or declaration that could jeopardize the efforts so deployed in the search for a sustainable solution to the current crisis, based on respect for constitutional order and reflecting the aspirations of the people of Sudan, within the framework of the relevant AU instruments.

The Council expressed readiness to take further appropriate measures and instituting the full range of sanctions on individuals and entities whose acts, conduct and utterances could compromise the search for a solution to current crisis in Sudan.

On Monday, Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition Freedom and Change Alliance concluded the third round of talks without reaching consensus on formation of a civilian government.