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Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Fidel Castro announces retirement
Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 07:42 GMT
Fidel Castro announces retirement
Cuba's ailing leader, Fidel Castro has announced he will not return to
the presidency in a letter published by official Communist Party paper.
In a statement published on the Web site of the Communist Party's Granma newspaper he said: "To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honour in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept ... the position of president of council of state and commander-in-chief."
Mr. Castro handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul, in July 2006 when he underwent intestinal surgery, and has not been seen in public since. The 81-year-old has ruled Cuba since leading a communist revolution in 1959.
In December, Mr. Castro indicated that he could possibly step down in favor of a younger generation.
-- Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7252109.stm
Edited on: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:08.14
Categories: Political/Diplomatic/Economic