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Mullah Omar: Taliban 'resolve splits' over successor Mansour Mullah Omar: Taliban 'resolve splits' over successor Mansour
(1 day later)
A dispute that threatened to split the Afghan Taliban has been resolved after relatives of late leader Mullah Omar backed his successor, the group says.A dispute that threatened to split the Afghan Taliban has been resolved after relatives of late leader Mullah Omar backed his successor, the group says.
A spokesman told the BBC that Omar's eldest son and brother swore allegiance to Mullah Akhtar Mansour on Tuesday - and the movement was now united.A spokesman told the BBC that Omar's eldest son and brother swore allegiance to Mullah Akhtar Mansour on Tuesday - and the movement was now united.
The move consolidates the new leader's place after weeks of uncertainty.The move consolidates the new leader's place after weeks of uncertainty.
His swift appointment had angered some Taliban leaders after the group's founder's death was confirmed in July.His swift appointment had angered some Taliban leaders after the group's founder's death was confirmed in July.
Mullah Omar's family and a number of senior figures were against his successor and splits emerged into the open.Mullah Omar's family and a number of senior figures were against his successor and splits emerged into the open.
Who is Mullah Mansour?Who is Mullah Mansour?
The BBC's Dawood Azami says Mullah Omar's son and brother - Mullah Yaqoub and Mullah Manan - have little military power but their support is symbolically significant. He says Mullah Mansour's leadership now seems accepted by most Taliban.The BBC's Dawood Azami says Mullah Omar's son and brother - Mullah Yaqoub and Mullah Manan - have little military power but their support is symbolically significant. He says Mullah Mansour's leadership now seems accepted by most Taliban.
Several other heavyweights not already on board are now expected to follow suit.Several other heavyweights not already on board are now expected to follow suit.
The support of important Taliban commanders in the south has yet to be secured but would be even more important, our correspondent says.The support of important Taliban commanders in the south has yet to be secured but would be even more important, our correspondent says.
"We intend to protect and keep this movement united," the Taliban said in a statement on their website."We intend to protect and keep this movement united," the Taliban said in a statement on their website.
Speaking to BBC Persian's Harun Najafizada, Taliban spokesman Zaibullah Mujahid did not reveal where the secret meeting had been held but said it had been "splendid". Speaking to BBC Persian's Harun Najafizada, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid did not reveal where the secret meeting had been held but said it had been "splendid".
Asked about other senior Taliban figures such as Manan Niazi, Mullah Hassan Akhund and Mansour Dadullah, the spokesman said: "They have not yet given allegiances, but they should give it now, because they were waiting for the family of the commander of the faithful to go first."Asked about other senior Taliban figures such as Manan Niazi, Mullah Hassan Akhund and Mansour Dadullah, the spokesman said: "They have not yet given allegiances, but they should give it now, because they were waiting for the family of the commander of the faithful to go first."
Taliban enter uncharted territoryTaliban enter uncharted territory
Mullah Omar: Reclusive figureMullah Omar: Reclusive figure
Pakistan quiet on Mullah Omar's deathPakistan quiet on Mullah Omar's death
The Associated Press news agency reported that it had spoken to Mullah Manan and he confirmed that he and Mullah Yaqoub now supported Mullah Mansour.The Associated Press news agency reported that it had spoken to Mullah Manan and he confirmed that he and Mullah Yaqoub now supported Mullah Mansour.
The two men made their support conditional on the new leader accepting eight demands, giving them more say, an aide to Mullah Yaqoub told Reuters news agency. These included restructuring the leadership shura (council) and ruling by consensus.The two men made their support conditional on the new leader accepting eight demands, giving them more say, an aide to Mullah Yaqoub told Reuters news agency. These included restructuring the leadership shura (council) and ruling by consensus.
"Mullah Mansour accepted all these demands," the aide said."Mullah Mansour accepted all these demands," the aide said.
Last month the Taliban admitted covering up Mullah Omar's death for two years, for tactical reasons. Earlier this week his son said he had died of natural causes in Afghanistan, after contracting hepatitis C.Last month the Taliban admitted covering up Mullah Omar's death for two years, for tactical reasons. Earlier this week his son said he had died of natural causes in Afghanistan, after contracting hepatitis C.
This conflicts with the account given by the Afghan government, which said Mullah Omar died in hospital in Karachi in 2013, despite Pakistani denials he was in the country.This conflicts with the account given by the Afghan government, which said Mullah Omar died in hospital in Karachi in 2013, despite Pakistani denials he was in the country.
The death disrupted fledgling peace talks between the Afghan government and the insurgents, but hopes for talks will rise if Mullah Mansour's position is more secure.The death disrupted fledgling peace talks between the Afghan government and the insurgents, but hopes for talks will rise if Mullah Mansour's position is more secure.