Rights group urges Sudan not to use lethal force

CAIRO, Dec 31 (AP): Human Rights Watch urged Sudan's government on Monday to instruct security forces not to use lethal force against protesters, citing independent groups as saying that 40 people have been killed since protests demanding President Omar al-Bashir's ouster erupted nearly two weeks ago.

The New York-based group said Sudanese forces have been using tear gas and live ammunition against protesters, as well as beating and arresting many. Scores have been injured and hundreds arrested, it said.

The statement came ahead of renewed protests Monday, with demonstrators in the capital, Khartoum, expected to try to march on al-Bashir's palace to demand he step down.

An umbrella of independent professional unions that called for Monday's protests urged Sudanese to take to the streets elsewhere in the country.

Al-Bashir, an autocratic leader who has been in power since 1989, vowed in a meeting with police commanders Sunday that his government would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the stability and security of Sudan.