The influential Speaker of the Sudanese parliament, Hassan al-Turabi, has confirmed that he plans to resign, to devote more time to the ruling National Congress party, of which he's secretary general.

His decision comes after parliament approved a bill, earlier this week, providing for the reinstatement of multi-party democracy in Sudan after a nine-year ban.

Mr al-Turabi told the BBC he would step down by the end of the year but would remain a member of parliament.

He said he wanted to spend more time at the National Congress Party while it was being changed to contest future elections.

Mr al-Turabi pledged that the party would be financially independent of the government.