KHARTOUM, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Wednesday urged the political parties in Sudan to reach a comprehensive deal to begin a transitional period under civilian government.

Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan on Wednesday received the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson's Special Envoy to Sudan, Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt.

Lebatt said in a statement that their role is to encourage the political parties in Sudan, top of them the TMC and the forces of the declaration of freedom and change, to reach a comprehensive deal that institutes for a transitional period in which civilians assume power.

He added that the AU task is to bring together the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union and the Troika countries, around the AUC position without developing a parallel track.

He vowed to continue his efforts after submitting his progress report as of next week.

Earlier, the AU threatened to suspend Sudan's membership after the army ousted former President al-Bashir.

However, the AU availed the TMC 60 days to hand over the power to a civilian government.

The TMC is tasked with running the country's affairs following the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir in April.