Mullah Omar�s family refuses to back new Taliban leader

The family of deceased Taliban leader Mullah Omar has refused to pledge allegiance to his successor, calling on religious scholars to settle a growing rift within insurgent ranks over the power transition, reports AFP.   Mullah Akhtar Mansour was announced as the new Taliban chief on Friday after the insurgents confirmed the death of Mullah Omar, who led the militant movement for some 20 years. But splits immediately emerged between Mansour and those who challenged his appointment, including the late leader’s son Yakoub and his brother, Mullah Abdul Manan. “Our family... has not declared allegiance to anyone amid these differences,” Manan said in an audio message released Sunday, without naming Mansour. “Our family will serve the new leader... if he is elected with consensus.” Mansour on Saturday called for unity in the Taliban in his first audio message since becoming head of the group as it faces its biggest leadership crisis in recent years.

Mullah Omar�s family refuses to back new Taliban leader

The family of deceased Taliban leader Mullah Omar has refused to pledge allegiance to his successor, calling on religious scholars to settle a growing rift within insurgent ranks over the power transition, reports AFP. Mullah Akhtar Mansour was announced as the new Taliban chief on Friday after the insurgents confirmed the death of Mullah Omar, who led the militant movement for some 20 years. But splits immediately emerged between Mansour and those who challenged his appointment, including the late leaders son Yakoub and his brother, Mullah Abdul Manan. Our family... has not declared allegiance to anyone amid these differences, Manan said in an audio message released Sunday, without naming Mansour. Our family will serve the new leader... if he is elected with consensus. Mansour on Saturday called for unity in the Taliban in his first audio message since becoming head of the group as it faces its biggest leadership crisis in recent years.