Taliban in Afghanistan 'unaware' of peace talks, Mullah Mansour appointed new leader
The Taliban has rejected reports of any fresh round of peace talks expected this week with the Afghan government, according to AFP.
"Media outlets are circulating reports that peace talks will take place very soon ... either in the country of China or Pakistan," the Taliban said in an English-language statement posted on their website.
"(Our) political office ... are not aware of any such process."
On Thursday the Taliban appointed Akhtar Mohammad Mansour as leader of the insurgency, two Afghan commanders present at a meeting of the militant movement's most senior figures said.
"The shura held outside Quetta unanimously elected Mullah Mansour as the new emir of the Taliban," one commander who attended the night meeting said.
The statement on the peace talks marked the first comment from the group waging an almost 14-year insurgency in Afghanistan since Kabul on Wednesday reported that Mullah Omar died two years ago in Pakistan, citing "credible information".