MIRANSHAH, Pakistan (Reuters) - The Pakistani Taleban have elected Mullah Fazlullah, a ruthless commander from the Swat Valley, as their new leader following the death of Hakimullah Mehsud in a United States drone strike last week, a Taleban spokesman said.

"Fazlullah is the new TTP (Pakistani Taliban) chief," he said. "The decision was taken at a shura meeting today."