Taliban Leader Makes Appearance With Reporters

The new head of the Pakistani Taliban met with reporters in South Waziristan on Sunday to prove he was alive, the BBC reports.

Hakimullah Mehsud, who succeeded Baitullah Mehsud after the latter's death, said he wanted to dispel rumors of his death.

He pledged to avenge the death of Baitullah Mehsud and other Taliban leaders. The two are unrelated.

The five journalists who took part in the meeting were all part of the Mehsud clan. Other journalists declined to attend, citing...