KABUL – The Taliban today announced United Nations-sanctioned veteran of the movement Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund as leader of its new government in Afghanistan, while giving key positions to some of its top officials.
Chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a press conference that Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar will be deputy leader.
Mullah Yaqub, son of the Taliban founder and late supreme leader Mullah Omar, was named defence minister, while the position of interior minister was given to Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of the feared Haqqani network who also doubles up as a Taliban deputy leader.
“The cabinet is not complete, it is just acting,” said Mujahid at the Government Information and Media Centre here.
“We will try to take people from other parts of the country.”
The hard-line Islamists, who swept to power last month, have been expected to announce a government since the United States-led evacuation was completed at end-August.
They have promised an “inclusive” government that represents Afghanistan’s complex ethnic make-up – though women are unlikely to be included at the top levels.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, a Taliban negotiator in Doha and member of the first regime’s cabinet, was named foreign minister.
As it transitions from insurgent group to governing power, the Taliban has a series of major issues to address, including looming financial and humanitarian crises. – AFP, September 7, 2021
