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Fidel Castro dead: World leaders pay tribute to former Cuban president Fidel Castro dead: World leaders pay tribute to former Cuban president
(35 minutes later)
World leaders have begun to pay tribute to the former Cuban leader and revolutionary Fidel Castro who has died aged 90. World leaders have begun to pay tribute to the former Cuban leader and revolutionary Fidel Castro who has died aged 90. 
The incumbent Cuban President Raul Castro announced his brother had died at 10:29pm on state television late on Friday night. He ended the announcement by shouting the revolutionary slogan: “Toward victory, always!”The incumbent Cuban President Raul Castro announced his brother had died at 10:29pm on state television late on Friday night. He ended the announcement by shouting the revolutionary slogan: “Toward victory, always!”
Mr Castro stepped aside 10 years ago after suffering a severe gastrointestinal illness, and before his 90th birthday in August he told supporters he expected to die soon.Mr Castro stepped aside 10 years ago after suffering a severe gastrointestinal illness, and before his 90th birthday in August he told supporters he expected to die soon.
Leaders and politicians from across the world have reacted to the death of the firebrand leader who headed a rebel army to unlikely victory in Cuba, embraced Soviet-style communism and defied the power of 10 US presidents during his near 50-year rule. Leaders and politicians from across the world have reacted to the death of the firebrand leader who headed a rebel army to unlikely victory in Cuba, embraced Soviet-style communism and defied the power of 10 US presidents during his near 50-year rule. 
French President Francois Hollande said in a statement on Saturday that Mr Castro embodied Cuba's revolution in both its "hopes" and its later "disappointments". French President Francois Hollande said in a statement on Saturday that Mr Castro embodied Cuba's revolution in both its "hopes" and its later "disappointments". 
"An actor of the Cold War...he represented, for Cubans, pride in rejecting external domination. France, which denounced human rights violations, has always contested the embargo imposed on Cuba by the US.""An actor of the Cold War...he represented, for Cubans, pride in rejecting external domination. France, which denounced human rights violations, has always contested the embargo imposed on Cuba by the US."
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Mr Castro as the "symbol of an era". In a telegram to the Cuban President cited by the Kremlin, he said: "The name of this distinguished statesman is rightly considered the symbol of an era in modern world history... Fidel Castro was a sincere and reliable friend of Russia."
Enrique Pena Nieto the President of Mexico, where Mr Castro fled and organised a rebel band that returned to Cuba 1956, said: "Fidel Castro was a friend of Mexico, promoter of a bilateral relationship based on respect, dialogue and solidarity."Enrique Pena Nieto the President of Mexico, where Mr Castro fled and organised a rebel band that returned to Cuba 1956, said: "Fidel Castro was a friend of Mexico, promoter of a bilateral relationship based on respect, dialogue and solidarity."
Salvador Sanchez Ceren, President of El Salvador, tweeted: "With deep sorrow we received news of the death of my dear friend and eternal companion, Commander Fidel Castro Ruz."Salvador Sanchez Ceren, President of El Salvador, tweeted: "With deep sorrow we received news of the death of my dear friend and eternal companion, Commander Fidel Castro Ruz."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend. I extend my deepest condolences to the Government and people of Cuba on the sad demise of Fidel Castro. May his soul rest in peace."Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend. I extend my deepest condolences to the Government and people of Cuba on the sad demise of Fidel Castro. May his soul rest in peace."
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev praised Mr Castro for "strengthening" his island nation.Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev praised Mr Castro for "strengthening" his island nation.
"Fidel stood up and strengthened his country during the harshest American blockade, when there was colossal pressure on him and he still took his country out of this blockade to a path of independent development," Interfax news agency quoted Mr Gorbachev as saying."Fidel stood up and strengthened his country during the harshest American blockade, when there was colossal pressure on him and he still took his country out of this blockade to a path of independent development," Interfax news agency quoted Mr Gorbachev as saying.
Former Labour Cabinet minister and anti-apartheid leader Lord Peter Hain said: "Although responsible for indefensible human rights and free speech abuses, Castro created a society of unparalleled access to free health, education and equal opportunity despite an economically throttling USA siege.Former Labour Cabinet minister and anti-apartheid leader Lord Peter Hain said: "Although responsible for indefensible human rights and free speech abuses, Castro created a society of unparalleled access to free health, education and equal opportunity despite an economically throttling USA siege.
"His troops inflicted the first defeat on South Africa's troops in Angola in 1988, a vital turning point in the struggle against apartheid.""His troops inflicted the first defeat on South Africa's troops in Angola in 1988, a vital turning point in the struggle against apartheid."
Former London mayor Ken Livingstone called Mr Castro an "absolute giant of the 20th century", and blamed the US for the restrictions on civil liberties under his leadership. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Cuba could reform now it was not under the threat of American invasion "even if Trump goes a little bit bonkers". Former London mayor Ken Livingstone called Mr Castro an "absolute giant of the 20th century", and blamed the US for the restrictions on civil liberties under his leadership. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Cuba could reform now it was not under the threat of American invasion "even if Trump goes a little bit bonkers". 
Former Labour trade minister Brian Wilson, who led efforts to normalise trade links with Cuba and said he shared an Old Havana whiskey with the president at one meeting, said said Mr Castro had sent out a "beacon of hope" to Latin America.Former Labour trade minister Brian Wilson, who led efforts to normalise trade links with Cuba and said he shared an Old Havana whiskey with the president at one meeting, said said Mr Castro had sent out a "beacon of hope" to Latin America.
"He educated his people and he gave them healthcare they had never had before, and you can admire all of that without being an uncritical supporter, believe me, but do not lose the bigger picture - that Fidel Castro, for his region and for oppressed people throughout the world, sent out a message of hope," he told the Today programme. "He educated his people and he gave them healthcare they had never had before, and you can admire all of that without being an uncritical supporter, believe me, but do not lose the bigger picture - that Fidel Castro, for his region and for oppressed people throughout the world, sent out a message of hope," he told the Today programme. 
The former Pakistan presidential election candidate and ex-cricketer Imran Khan described Mr Castro as an "iconic revolutionary" over Twitter who "liberated his nation from all vestiges of imperialism". The former Pakistan presidential election candidate and ex-cricketer Imran Khan described Mr Castro as an "iconic revolutionary" over Twitter who "liberated his nation from all vestiges of imperialism". 
"Castro reasserted the Cuban nation's dignity and self worth that withstood US aggression and became a global leader for anti-colonial struggles.""Castro reasserted the Cuban nation's dignity and self worth that withstood US aggression and became a global leader for anti-colonial struggles."