New Taliban leader tells US to end Afghan `occupation` in first message

Kabul: New Taliban leader Maulawi Haibatullah Akhundzada on Saturday called on the US to end its "occupation" of Afghanistan in his first message since been appointed the militant group`s supreme leader in May.

"Admit the realities instead of useless use of force and muscle show and put an end to the occupation," Akhundzada said in a speech on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr, the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.