Authorities in Sudan have released Al Jazeera Media Network’s bureau chief in Khartoum, two days after he was arrested during a midnight raid on his home.

The journalist was among hundreds of people taken into custody amid mass protests across Sudan against a military power grab last month.

Al Jazeera had condemned his arrest in the “strongest terms”, calling the military’s action “reprehensible” and urging its journalists to be allowed to operate unhindered.

The Qatar-based broadcaster also said it holds the Sudanese military responsible for the safety of all its employees. El Kabbashi’s arrest is not the first time Sudanese authorities have singled out Al Jazeera.

In 2019, security forces closed the network’s office in Khartoum and revoked the work permits of the network’s correspondents in the country.

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who led the military’s takeover on October 25, reappointed himself as head of the ruling Sovereign Council on Thursday

He also announced new members to the transitional body, including military and former rebel fighters on the deposed council.

Al-Burhan insists the takeover was not a coup but a “push to rectify the course of the transition”.

His move came as the military was due to hand over the leadership of the Sovereign Council to civilians in the coming months.