Kabul, Afghanistan (BBN)-A breakaway Afghan Taliban faction has appointed its own leader, underlining deep divisions in the group following the death of founder Mullah Omar.
Mullah Mohammad Rasool was chosen to lead the splinter group at a meeting of fighters in western Farah province, reports BBC.
The dissidents say new Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour hijacked the movement because of personal greed.
He was appointed in August after the Taliban admitted that Mullah Omar had been dead for two years.
In recent months divisions in the Taliban have burst into the open – and correspondents say the split now appears entrenched.
The BBC obtained video of the Farah meeting, at which Mullah Rasool, wearing glasses and a black turban, made a 13-minute speech to dozens of his heavily-armed followers.
He will have four deputies – Abdul Manan Niazi, Mansoor Dadullah and Shir Mohammad Akhundzada were appointed to deputise on military affairs and Mullah Baz Mohammad Haris was appointed his deputy for political affairs.
Under Taliban rule, Mullah Rasool was governor of Nimroz province. Reuters reports that he is not a religious scholar.
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