Taliban confirms leader Mullah Omar’s death, successor already in place

The two told The Associated Press that the Taliban Shura, or Supreme Council, has chosen Mullah Akhtar Mansoor as the new leader.

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Taliban chief Mullah Omar.

Two high-ranking Afghan Taliban officials have confirmed the death of their leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, and say the group’s council has elected a successor.

READ: Afghan intelligence: Taliban leader Mullah Omar dead for more than 2 years

The two told The Associated Press that the Taliban Shura, or Supreme Council, has chosen Mullah Akhtar Mansoor as the new leader. He has been acting as Mullah Omar’s deputy for the past three years.

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The two Taliban officials say the seven-member-council has been meeting in the Pakistani city of Quetta.

READ INSIGHT: Taliban’s reclusive leader Mullah Omar: All you need to know

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized by the council to talk to the media.

They also said the group chose Sirajuddin Haqqani as their new deputy leader.

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