With a wide regional and international presence, opposition forces in Sudan signed a "framework agreement" with army commanders in order to find a solution to the political crisis in the country.

The signing ceremony took place at the Republican Palace "presidential" in the center of the Sudanese capital Khartoum

The United States and its partners welcomed the framework agreement for the political transition and urged all Sudanese parties to make efforts to conclude negotiations on a new civilian-led government

"This is the key factor for resuming international development assistance and deepening cooperation between the government of Sudan and international partners,"the countries said in a joint statement.

The signatories of the statement include Norway, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and the United States.

The agreement provides for the formation of a civilian government headed by a prime minister with broad powers, as well as a sovereignty Council headed by a civilian.

The agreement was signed by about 40 professional parties and trade unions, including the forces of freedom and change, along with army commander Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and commander of the Rapid Support Forces Lieutenant General Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.

The new agreement aims to pave the way for a return to democratic rule.

The signatories agreed that the duration of the transitional period will be two years starting from the date of the appointment of the prime minister.

Al-Burhan stressed that the framework agreement signed on Monday with the civil forces aims to end the political conflict situation, pointing out that they are seeking to implement the terms of what was agreed.

He stressed the need for the army to remain neutral and out of political action, calling on the civilian authority not to interfere in the technical affairs of the Armed Forces.

The army chief called on the international community to resume its assistance to Sudan in order for the agreement to succeed.

The head of the UN mission in Sudan Volker Peretz described the signing of the framework agreement as a "courageous step" that paves the way for the formation of a civilian government that will be able to realize the aspirations of the Sudanese for peace and political freedom, as well as the resumption of international assistance.

Peretz called on the international community to be ready to resume aid and write off Sudan's external debt.

The forces for freedom and change said that in the first stage, "the framework agreement lays the foundation for the establishment of a transitional civilian authority", and that the final agreement, which addresses issues including transitional justice and army reforms, should be completed "within weeks".

But that part is more difficult, as observers wonder whether the military will be willing to give up the economic interests and broader powers that it considers part of its prerogatives.