The newly-named supreme leader of the Taliban on Tuesday told the new government to uphold the sharia law in Afghanistan.

In his first message since the hardline movement swept to power, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund said, “I assure all the countrymen that the figures will work hard towards upholding Islamic rules and sharia law in the country.”

The statement has come shortly after the Taliban announced Mullah Akhund as the leader of their new government while giving key positions to some of the movement’s top officials.

At a press conference in Kabul, chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar will be one of two deputy leaders, alongside Abdul Salam Hanafi, a member of the Islamist group’s political office in Doha, Qatar.

Overall, 19 ministries, three directorates, seven deputy ministers, and army chief were announced on Tuesday.

The hardline Islamists, who swept to power last month, have been expected to announce a government since the US-led evacuation was completed at the end of August.

They have promised an “inclusive” government that represents Afghanistan’s complex ethnic makeup – though women are unlikely to be included at the top levels.

Asked why the government did not appear to be inclusive – with no women on the list – Mujahid said: “The cabinet is not complete, it is just acting.

“We will try to take people from other parts of the country.”

As they transition from insurgent group to governing power, the Taliban have a series of major issues to address, including looming financial and humanitarian crises.

They have named their government the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”.