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Afghan Taliban spokesman says new leader has not yet issued an audio message

Screen Shot 2016 05 25 at 10.33.52 AM
Screen Shot 2016 05 25 at 10.33.52 AM

Screen grab

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The official spokesman for the Afghan Taliban said on Wednesday that an audio tape purporting to be from newly named leader Haibatullah Akhundzada rejecting peace talks was not issued by him and was not from the new insurgent chief.

Two Taliban commanders had provided the audio to reporters late on Wednesday, saying it was an official statement. One of the commanders said he had received the recording directly from Zabihullah Mujahid, the official spokesman who earlier announced Akhundzada's elevation.

Mujahid later issued an email from his official account denying the movement had issued an audio.

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Reached by telephone, Mujahid said the Taliban were launching an investigation to learn who was distributing the recording.

(Reporting by Saud Mehsud; Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Mike Collett-White)

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