Taliban refuse to comment on Rabbani death

The Taliban insisted today that it did not want to comment on the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, the former Afghan president who had been leading efforts to talk peace with insurgents.

The Taliban insisted on Wednesday that it did not want to comment on the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, the former Afghan president who had been leading efforts to talk peace with insurgents.

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In its first public comments since Tuesday's killing the Taliban posted a statement on its Voice of Jihad website in Pashto.

"Until we receive more information and our information is complete, our position is that we cannot say anything on this issue," the translated comments from spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

The statement rejected earlier reports in some media that the Taliban had claimed responsibility for the assassination.

"Those media who have quoted us on this issue, this is all baseless and we again say that we do not want to speak about this issue at this time."

Kabul police and other officials have blamed a Taliban turban bomber for the killing at Rabbani's house.