<p>The Afghan Taliban on Saturday released an audio tape of Mullah Mohammad Akhtar Mansoor, who was elected the new leader of the insurgent group earlier this week.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The half an hour audio was sent to local media by Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, who said the statement was delivered by Mansoor during an allegiance meeting held on Thursday, reported Xinhua news agency.<br /><br />In his first statement, the new Taliban leader called for unity among Taliban members while urging his fighters to continue Jihad or holy war to re-establish Taliban's Islamic Emirate.<br />However, the new Taliban leader did not rule out peace talks for reaching the goal.<br /><br />On Thursday, a Taliban council appointed Mansoor the new leader to replace former Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.<br /><br />The statement came while the second round of peace talks between Taliban representatives and the Afghan government has been postponed due to the announcement of Mullah Omar's death.<br />The first round of talks between the two sides was held in Pakistan last month and the delayed second round had been scheduled for July 31.<br /></p>
<p>The Afghan Taliban on Saturday released an audio tape of Mullah Mohammad Akhtar Mansoor, who was elected the new leader of the insurgent group earlier this week.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The half an hour audio was sent to local media by Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, who said the statement was delivered by Mansoor during an allegiance meeting held on Thursday, reported Xinhua news agency.<br /><br />In his first statement, the new Taliban leader called for unity among Taliban members while urging his fighters to continue Jihad or holy war to re-establish Taliban's Islamic Emirate.<br />However, the new Taliban leader did not rule out peace talks for reaching the goal.<br /><br />On Thursday, a Taliban council appointed Mansoor the new leader to replace former Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.<br /><br />The statement came while the second round of peace talks between Taliban representatives and the Afghan government has been postponed due to the announcement of Mullah Omar's death.<br />The first round of talks between the two sides was held in Pakistan last month and the delayed second round had been scheduled for July 31.<br /></p>