| Mullah Mohammed Omar was still in control of Kandahar but shuffled administrative posts. Omar is holding talks with the Norzai tribe in Kandahar to divide rule with the tribal leaders. 80 to 100 leaders met in Quetta to give the Taliban an ultimatum: surrender within a week or face an attack by Pashtun tribesmen from six southern Afghan provinces. The tribal leaders have been coordinating their efforts with Afghanistan's exiled king, Mohammed Zahir Shah. Some high-ranking Taliban officials in Kandahar have agreed with supporters of the former king to join a national reconciliation government. Late Sunday, PakNews reported that the Taliban have evacuated most of the city but one group has defied Taliban's order to retreat. Taliban leadership including supreme commander Mullah Omar were reported to have left Kandahar. Tribal leaders offered Mullah Omar the opportunity to surrender himself and accept political asylum in Pakistan. No word on his response. The Taliban were reported pulling out toward the Iran border. |