KHARTOUM — Defiant protesters remain on the streets of Sudan after the country's armed forces launched a military coup, BBC reported.

Chanting and waving flags, they have blocked roads in the capital Khartoum and around the country following the takeover.

On Monday coup leader Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan dissolved civilian rule, arrested political leaders and called a state of emergency.

Soldiers opened fire on crowds and reportedly killed 10 people.

The coup has drawn global condemnation. Diplomats told AFP news agency the UN Security Council is due to meet on Tuesday to discuss the crisis.

Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan sought to justify the takeover by blaming political infighting. Troops are reported to have been going house to house in Khartoum arresting local protest organisers.

The city's airport is closed and international flights are suspended. The internet and most phone lines are also down.

Central Bank staff have reportedly gone on strike, and across the country doctors are said to be refusing to work in military run hospitals except in emergencies.

Civilian leaders and their military counterparts have been at odds since long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in 2019.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the military's actions "are a betrayal of Sudan's peaceful revolution". The US has halted $700m (£508m) in aid.

After a night of protests, demonstrators remained on the streets on Tuesday morning, demanding the return of civilian rule.

"Civilian rule is the people's choice," they chanted as they set up barricades of burning tyres. Many women are also taking part, shouting "no to military rule".

The protests continue despite troops opening fire on demonstrators on Monday.

One wounded protestor told reporters he was shot in the leg by the army outside the military headquarters, while another man described the military firing first stun grenades, then live ammunition.