[SOLVED] Cannot resolve .local host names via mDNS.

[dreamweaver]

Software
XBian version: 20180627-0 (from /etc/motd)
XBMC/Kodi version: 17.6
Overclock settings: default

Hardware
Device type and model: Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
Power supply rating: 2A
SD card size and make/type: SanDisk EVO+ microSD 32GB
Network (Ethernet or wireless): Ethernet
Connected devices: TV

Problem description:
Cannot resolve .local host names via mDNS.

How to reproduce:
The following commands are run on the XBian system in an ssh session.

Avahi-daemon is running:
avahi 17390 1 0 Jun28 ? 00:00:00 avahi-daemon: running [xbian.local]
avahi 17392 17390 0 Jun28 ? 00:00:00 avahi-daemon: chroot helper

Host name resolution using the avahi tools works, e.g.
# avahi-resolve-host-name centos.local
centos.local 10.1.1.4

mDNS is configured in /etc/nsswitch.conf:
hosts: files mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] dns

However resolution of .local hosts fails:
# ping centos.local
ping: bad address 'centos.local'

I see the requests for .local hosts being passed through to DNS.
It is though the mdns4_minimal directive in nsswitch.conf is being ignored.

The same setup works fine in Raspbian.