The party of ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir urged the country's new ruling military council Saturday to release its acting president and other key members, condemning Bashir's overthrow as unconstitutional.

"We consider the military council's power grab a violation of constitutional law," the National Congress Party said in a statement.

"The NCP rejects the detention of its leaders, among them its acting president and a large number of prominent members, and calls for their immediate release."