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| New Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour calls for unity | New Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour calls for unity |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The new leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, has called for unity in an audio message, saying that the group will continue fighting. | The new leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, has called for unity in an audio message, saying that the group will continue fighting. |
| Mullah Mansour was named as the new leader on Thursday, after the death of former head Mullah Omar was confirmed. | Mullah Mansour was named as the new leader on Thursday, after the death of former head Mullah Omar was confirmed. |
| But a Taliban spokesman told the BBC he had not been appointed "by all Taliban", going against Sharia law. | But a Taliban spokesman told the BBC he had not been appointed "by all Taliban", going against Sharia law. |
| The audio message said fighters should unite as "division in our ranks will only please our enemies". | The audio message said fighters should unite as "division in our ranks will only please our enemies". |
| It also said that the Taliban would "continue our jihad until we bring an Islamic rule in the country". | It also said that the Taliban would "continue our jihad until we bring an Islamic rule in the country". |
| The 30-minute recording - in which a crying baby is heard at some points - was released to journalists by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid on Saturday. | |
| Some Taliban figures have accused pro-Pakistani circles of imposing Mullah Mansour, who is known for his support for peace talks, on them. | Some Taliban figures have accused pro-Pakistani circles of imposing Mullah Mansour, who is known for his support for peace talks, on them. |
| But in the audio message, Mullah Mansour dismissed peace talks as "propaganda campaigns by the enemy". | But in the audio message, Mullah Mansour dismissed peace talks as "propaganda campaigns by the enemy". |
| At least one Taliban faction would have preferred Mullah Omar to be succeeded by his son. | At least one Taliban faction would have preferred Mullah Omar to be succeeded by his son. |
| Another Taliban spokesman, Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, said those who elected Mullah Mansour had not followed the rules. | Another Taliban spokesman, Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, said those who elected Mullah Mansour had not followed the rules. |
| "According to Islamic rule and principles, when a leader dies, a Shura (council) is called, then its leader is appointed," he added. | "According to Islamic rule and principles, when a leader dies, a Shura (council) is called, then its leader is appointed," he added. |
| Analysis - Inayatulhaq Yasini, BBC Pashto | Analysis - Inayatulhaq Yasini, BBC Pashto |
| It is the first time we have seen such differences among the group's leadership. | It is the first time we have seen such differences among the group's leadership. |
| Finding a unifying leader like Mullah Omar will be almost impossible for the Taliban, so a split is likely. | Finding a unifying leader like Mullah Omar will be almost impossible for the Taliban, so a split is likely. |
| Mullah Mansour's supporters have dispelled reports that military commander Qaum Zakir is opposing his election. | Mullah Mansour's supporters have dispelled reports that military commander Qaum Zakir is opposing his election. |
| Zakir is an ex-Guantanamo prisoner, who has a base of support in Helmand province and will play a crucial role in the group's future. | Zakir is an ex-Guantanamo prisoner, who has a base of support in Helmand province and will play a crucial role in the group's future. |
| The side which manages to gains the support of military commanders will win the majority share of Mullah Omar's movement. | The side which manages to gains the support of military commanders will win the majority share of Mullah Omar's movement. |
| Taliban leaders 'not consulted' | Taliban leaders 'not consulted' |