Kabul: Ending speculations over the new leadership in Afghanistan, the Taliban on Tuesday announced Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund as the leader of their new government and Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar will be the deputy leader.
Chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also told a press conference that all groups have been represented in the cabinet and the heads of various other ministries will be appointed soon.
The Taliban spokesperson said Afghanistan had “gained freedom”, stressing that “only the will of Afghans” will be applicable in the country.
“After today, no one will be able to interfere in Afghanistan,” he emphasised.
Mujahid said that the Taliban had been in contact with various countries and their envoys had visited Afghanistan.
In response to a question, the spokesperson said the country will now be called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Mujahid said there was no fighting in Panjshir, the last holdout of anti-Taliban forces in the country and the only province the Taliban had not seized during their blitz across Afghanistan last month.
