talks between the ruling military council and leaders of the pro-democracy protest movement after a military crackdown this week that left more than 100 people dead.

Ahmed met with generals in Khartoum and is expected to meet separately with leaders of the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, a coalition of political groups that represent protesters who drove longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir from power in April.

Meanwhile, the African Union says it has suspended Sudan from all activities until a civilian-led government is formed.

The AU Peace and Security Council announced the suspension Thursday as protest leaders in Sudan rejected an offer from the ruling military council to negotiate the country's political future.

Both sides had been in talks over a civilian-led transition to democracy, but their negotiations collapsed when security forces stormed a sit-in protest camp on Monday.

Sudanese doctors allied with the opposition say 113 people were killed, and more than 500 others wounded in clashes.

The Sudanese Health Ministry issued a statement saying the number is "no more than 46."

VOA