New Afghan Taliban leader promises to continue insurgency

“This is a big responsibly on us”.

“We will serve the new leader if he is elected with consensus but will not support anyone including Mullah Akhtar Mansoor if the leaders failed to demonstrate unity”, Omar’s family said.

As differences within the Taliban ranks emerged, the new Taliban chief called for unity.

Mansoor replaced Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar, whose death was confirmed by the militants on Thursday, although the timing of his death is unclear.

Formed 30 years ago to counter the Soviet invasion in the 80s, the Haqqani network is militarily the most capable and most risky of the Taliban factions.

In a statement likely aimed at rallying followers behind the leadership, the Taliban statement, which was e-mailed to the AP, said the group’s new leader, Mullah Mohammad Akhtar Mansoor, had also been given the title of “Commander of the Faithful”, conferring on him the supreme status held by Omar.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid sent the audio to journalists and others on Saturday. He had not been seen in public since fleeing over the border into Pakistan after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion.

U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Daniel Feldman, the top American diplomat working on Afghan peace efforts, said the United States hopes all sides will move beyond the cancellation of Friday’s scheduled peace talks following confirmation of Omar’s death.

Afghan forces also retook control Friday of Naw Zad district in Helmand province after three days of fierce fighting with the Taliban, the officials said.