The Pakistani Taliban have appointed an interim leader to head the group temporarily after the death of commander Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone strike, a spokesman told AFP Sunday.
"The United States and Pakistan continue to have a vital, shared strategic interest in ending extremist violence so as to build a more prosperous, stable and peaceful region," the US State Department official said.
The death of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud in an American drone strike Friday evening almost derailed the government's plan to hold peace talks with Taliban militants.
Militants from the Pakistani Taliban met Saturday to choose a new leader after their chief was killed in a U.S. drone strike the day before, intelligence officials and militant commanders said.