The Taliban power struggle continues

Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, the Pakistani Taliban's deputy leader, says he will take over the group temporarily.

"I was the deputy leader of the Tehrik-e-Taliban, and now, since Baitullah Mehsud is unable to perform as head of the organization due to health reasons and unable to come on the foreground, I am assuming the role of acting chief," Mr. Mohammad told The Associated Press by telephone from an undisclosed location.

The "health reason," of course, is death, though Mohammad insists Mehsud is simply "ill."

Mohammad said this is only a temporary gig for him; the shoora council still hasn't made a final decision about who will permanently succeed Mehsud. Not surprising, considering reports that the council ended in gunfire earlier this month.