Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid held a press conference in this regard.

Some of the new key appointments are outlined below:

• Hassan Akhund – acting prime minister
• Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar – acting deputy prime minister
• Amir Khan Muttaqi – acting foreign minister
• Abas Stanikzai – acting deputy foreign minister
• Mullah Yaqoob – acting defense minister

In response to questions the Taliban spokesman clarified that this is an “acting” government with “acting” ministers and will not be the future government.

“It was agreed that we would announce a new government before a formal ceremony could be held,” Ahmadullah Wasiq had said earlier, adding “some members” of the cabinet would be announced at the press conference.