Taliban supreme leader makes rare visit to Afghan capital

KABUL: The shadowy supreme leader of the Taliban authorities made a rare visit to Afghanistan´s capital, a government website said on Friday, leaving his reclusive compound in Kandahar to meet with the country´s senior officials.

It comes after a string of small-scale clashes between farmers and Taliban anti-narcotic units tasked with destroying poppy fields, and flash floods that have killed hundreds.

Hibatullah Akhundzada gave a speech in front of the 34 provincial governors on Thursday at the Interior Ministry, the Taliban website Al Emarah said.

The leader emphasised “unity and harmony”, according to a summary of the speech posted to the website on Friday.

“Obedience was highlighted as a divine obligation,” it said, adding that the implementation of Islamic Sharia law and principles “should take precedence over personal interests”.