Mr Bashir, who has won elections several times since coming to power in a coup in 1989, made the comments as he addressed rally of his supporters in the eastern city of Kassala:

Quote Message: Changing the government and changing the president will not be through WhatsApp nor Facebook, but will be through the ballot box."

Changing the government and changing the president will not be through WhatsApp nor Facebook, but will be through the ballot box."

As he spoke, fresh demonstrations broke out in the capital, Khartoum, calling for the 75-year-old president to step down.

The demonstrations started last month over cuts to bread and fuel subsidies, but later developed into anger at his nearly 30-year rule.

The government says 30 people have been killed in clashes since the protests began, but human rights groups say the number is more than 40.