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Reject claims
Even after Wednesday's report from the president's office, a Taliban spokesman insisted to VOA that Mullah Omar was still alive. That comment was seen as an attempt to deflect any announcement that might upset the negotiations.
Before Afghan officials clarified Omar's fate, the Afghan Taliban had rejected reports that the fugitive extremist leader was already dead.
Month after month, the Taliban had issued statements in Mullah Omar's name that claimed battlefield gains for the group's fighters.
Mullah Omar had made no public appearances or presented direct evidence he is alive in at least five years. Previous reports of his death that appeared in news media in the region had never gained wide circulation.
The most recent Taliban message said to be from Mullah Omar, distributed earlier this month, endorsed the Afghan peace talks as “legitimate” in terms of Islamic principles.
The reclusive cleric was quoted as saying he would not oppose peaceful negotiations if they could help end “U.S.-led foreign occupation” of Afghanistan and establish an Islamic system of government in the country.
Even after Wednesday's report from the president's office, a Taliban spokesman insisted to VOA that Mullah Omar was still alive. That comment was seen as an attempt to deflect any announcement that might upset the negotiations.
Before Afghan officials clarified Omar's fate, the Afghan Taliban had rejected reports that the fugitive extremist leader was already dead.
Month after month, the Taliban had issued statements in Mullah Omar's name that claimed battlefield gains for the group's fighters.
Mullah Omar had made no public appearances or presented direct evidence he is alive in at least five years. Previous reports of his death that appeared in news media in the region had never gained wide circulation.
The most recent Taliban message said to be from Mullah Omar, distributed earlier this month, endorsed the Afghan peace talks as “legitimate” in terms of Islamic principles.
The reclusive cleric was quoted as saying he would not oppose peaceful negotiations if they could help end “U.S.-led foreign occupation” of Afghanistan and establish an Islamic system of government in the country.
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