Chinese Foreign Minister's visit gives rise to rumours that Taliban replaced PM Akhund

Kabul, March 24 (IANS) Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Thursday denied rumours that the group's Prime Minister Mullah Hasan Akhund has been replaced by his deputy, Dawn reported.The rumours of Akhund being replaced emerged after China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Kabul unannounced on Thursday morning, for the first time since the Taliban takeover of the country in August last year.Earlier in the day, reports of Taliban government's Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar replacing Akhund started doing the rounds on social media.Yi's visit came a week before Beijing hosts a two-day conference — on March 30-31 — comprising Afghanistan's neighbours on how to assist the Taliban government. Pakistan and Iran had earlier hosted similar meetings after the Taliban takeover.Subsequently, Mujahid in a tweet clarified that media reports of any reshuffle of the Prime Minister and changes in the cabinet were untrue."There has been no change in the cabinet of the Islamic Emirate or anywhere else," he added.In September last year, the Taliban appointed Akhund as its new head of state. Prior to his ascension to the top office, Akhund was the head of the Taliban's Rehbari Shura or leadership council. He hails from Kandahar and is also said to be one of the founders of the movement.
--IANS san/arm

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