Murdered Afghan talks head Rabbani replaced by son

The Afghan government has appointed the son of murdered peace talks chief Burhanuddin Rabbani to replace him.

Salahuddin Rabbani will chair the country's High Peace Council, which leads Afghan efforts to negotiate with the Taliban.

Mr Rabbani is currently ambassador to Turkey. His father, a former president and mujahideen leader, was killed by a suicide bomber last September.

His death was seen as a major blow to reconciliation efforts in the country.

Mr Rabbani was killed by a bomb hidden in the turban of a suicide attacker posing as a Taliban envoy.

The Taliban denied sanctioning the killing, which took place during a meeting at the former president's house in Kabul.

Correspondents believe the attacker was among those Taliban members opposed to the talks initiative.