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New Afghan gov't to start functioning soon: Taliban supreme leader
Published: Sep 08, 2021 10:43 AM
The Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Tuesday said the newly formed Taliban caretaker government will start functioning soon.

"As a caretaker and committed cabinet has been announced by authorities of the Islamic Emirate to control and run affairs of the country which will start functioning at the earliest, I assure all countrymen that the figures will work hard towards Islamic rules and Sharia law," Akhundzada said in a statement.

This is the first statement issued by the Taliban supreme leader since Taliban's takeover of capital Kabul in mid August.

"We want to have peaceful, prosperous and self-reliant Afghanistan, for which we will strive to eliminate all causes of war and strife in the country, and our countrymen to live in complete security and comfort," he said.

The statement came as Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid earlier on Tuesday announced the lineup of the new government, with Mullah Hassan Akhund appointed as the acting prime minister.