<span style="color: #222222;">The UN Security Council met behind closed doors yesterday to discuss the crisis in Sudan after Khartoum's military rulers announced plans to hold elections following a crackdown that killed nearly 40 people. <br />''<br />''Germany and Britain requested the urgent talks amid international alarm over the violence in Khartoum where security forces broke up weeks of protests against military rule. <br />''<br />''The German diplomat dismissed a plan by Sudan's military council to conduct elections within nine months, arguing that conditions were not in place for holding nationwide polls. <br />''<br />''The military council has ruled the country since the ouster of President Omar Al Bashir on April 11, following months of protests against his authoritarian rule. <br />''<br />''UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned the use of excessive force by Sudan's security agents and said he was "alarmed" by reports that forces had opened fire inside a hospital. </span>