KHARTOUM, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Wednesday was sworn in before the Judicial Council as chairman of Sudan's newly-formed sovereign council.

Lighthouse in Sanganeb Atoll Marine National park in Sudan, World Heritage Site. (Photo: sudanmarineparks.info)

Al-Burhan took the constitutional oath before Acting Chief Justice Yahia al-Tayeb Abu Shoura at the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum.

Al-Burhan, who was chairman of Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC), on Tuesday issued a constitutional decree to form a joint sovereign council of 11 members.

The other members of the sovereign council are expected to take the oath later on Wednesday before the council chairman and the acting chief justice.

Under the deal recently signed by the TMC and the opposition Freedom and Change Alliance, the sovereign council comprises 11 members, including five military members chosen by the TMC, five civilian members chosen by the opposition alliance, and one civilian selected through consultation by the two sides.

A constitutional decree is expected to be issued later on Wednesday to dissolve the TMC, which has been running the country's affairs since the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir on April 11.