The UN Security Council on Tuesday strongly condemned recent violence in Sudan and called on the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and protesters to return to the negotiating table to work toward a solution.

"We are obviously continuing to follow with great concern the situation on the ground in Khartoum ... We would want to see an immediate end to the use of excessive force, a restarting of the political dialogue," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The unanimous statement came after the Sudan's TMC reportedly opened fire at a sit-in and raided protesters' camp outside the military headquarters in Khartoum on June 3.

The TMC was formed to rule the country after the former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was removed from office by the military on April 11 amid massive protests. The June 3 crackdown broke out as protesters continued to demand a return to civilian rule.

Following a mediation led by Ethiopia, protest leaders agreed to return to talks with Sudan's ruling generals.

(With inputs from Xinhua and AFP)