PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) The deputy head of the Pakistani Taliban said Wednesday that he was temporarily assuming the helm of the militant group because its leader, Baitullah Mehsud, was ill, although Washington and Islamabad have said that Mr. Mehsud almost certainly was killed by a recent missile strike.
The announcement by the deputy leader, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, was another sign that Taliban commanders were jockeying for power after the reported death of Mr. Mehsud in an Aug. 5 missile strike in northwestern Pakistans tribal belt. A captured Taliban spokesman reportedly acknowledged to authorities on Tuesday that Mr. Mehsud was dead, but other commanders have insisted he is alive.
Mr. Mohammad also claimed that Mr. Mehsud was alive, but said that he was too ill to lead Pakistans Taliban.
I was the deputy leader of the Tehrik-e-Taliban, and now, since Baitullah Mehsud is unable to perform as head of the organization due to health reasons and unable to come on the foreground, I am assuming the role of acting chief, Mr. Mohammad told The Associated Press by telephone from an undisclosed location.
He emphasized that his appointment was only temporary, and said that the final decision on who would succeed Mr. Mehsud would rest with a 42-member Taliban council, known as a shura.
Now, when the entire world has its eye on us, our shura will decide our future leader in consultation with all, Mr. Mohammad said.
Two of the top contenders are considered to be Hakimullah Mehsud and Waliur Rehman. Mr. Mohammad described them as both capable and energetic leaders.
Pakistans Taliban is more a loose alliance of disparate groups and tribal factions than one cohesive group. Government and intelligence officials in Pakistan have said that the group is now embroiled in a bitter leadership struggle.
