The Constitutional Court in Sudan has agreed to examine the legitimacy of a Presidential decree issued last month which dissolved parliament and declared a state of emergency.

The Court decided to hear a challenge to the decree signed by the veteran Islamist and parliamentary Speaker, Hassan Turabi, and sixty-five other parliamentarians.

Correspondents say the decision marks a new stage in the power struggle between President Bashir and his former ally and now bitter rival, Mr Turabi.

The hearing will take place next month. The Court invited the government to put its arguments at the hearing, while asking all members of parliament to submit their views.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service