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Fidel Castro announces retirement Fidel Castro announces retirement
(40 minutes later)
Cuba's ailing leader Fidel Castro has announced he will not return to the presidency, in a letter published by official Communist Party paper, Granma.Cuba's ailing leader Fidel Castro has announced he will not return to the presidency, in a letter published by official Communist Party paper, Granma.
"I neither will aspire to, nor will I accept, the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," he wrote in the letter."I neither will aspire to, nor will I accept, the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," he wrote in the letter.
Mr Castro handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul, in July 2006 when he underwent intestinal surgery.Mr Castro handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul, in July 2006 when he underwent intestinal surgery.
The 81-year-old has ruled Cuba since leading a communist revolution in 1959.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 favour of a younger generation. In December, Mr Castro indicated that he could possibly step down in favour of younger leaders.
In the letter published on Granma's website during the middle of the night in Cuba, Mr Castro said he would not accept another term as president because of the health problems when the National Assembly meets on Sunday. Soon afterwards, Raul Castro appeared to suggest that his older brother still had an important political role to play, saying the president still had full use of his mental faculties and was being consulted on all important policy issues.
FIDEL CASTRO Born in 1926 to a wealthy, landowning familyTook up arms in 1953, six years before coming to powerBrother Raul was deputy and Che Guevara third in commandHas outlasted nine American presidentsTarget of many CIA assassination plotsDaughter is a dissident exile in Miami class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/244974.stm">Castro: The great survivor class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/4392634.stm">Castro's life in pictures 'No saying farewell'
"The moment has arrived to propose and elect the Council of State, its president, vice-president," he added. In the letter, published on Granma's website during the middle of the night in Cuba, Mr Castro said he would not accept another five-year term as president when the National Assembly meets on Sunday, because of the health problems.
"I just want to carry on fighting like a soldier for our ideas." I just want to carry on fighting like a soldier of ideas Fidel CastroLetter published in Granma class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/244974.stm">Castro: The great survivor
The National Assembly is widely expected to elect Raul Castro as his successor. "It would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total devotion, that I am not in a physical condition to offer," he wrote.
The BBC's Michael Voss in Havana says nobody knows whether the decision has been prompted by a decline in Mr Castro's health - it has been an official secret since the moment he was taken ill. However, Mr Castro insisted he was "not saying farewell".
The president has not been seen in public for 18 months, although the government occasionally releases photographs and pre-edited video of him meeting visiting leaders from around the world, our correspondent says. "I just want to carry on fighting like a soldier of ideas," he added. "I will continue writing under the title, Reflections of Comrade Fidel."
Last month, Mr Castro was shown talking to his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "I will be one more weapon in the arsenal that you can count on. Perhaps my voice will be heard. I will be careful."
The National Assembly is widely expected to elect 76-year-old Raul Castro as his successor, although analysts say there is speculation about a possible generational jump with Vice-President Carlos Large, 56, a leading contender.
FIDEL CASTRO Born in 1926 to a wealthy, landowning familyTook up arms in 1953, six years before coming to powerBrother Raul was deputy and Che Guevara third in commandHas outlasted nine American presidentsTarget of many CIA assassination plotsDaughter is a dissident exile in Miami Castro's life in pictures
The BBC's Michael Voss in Havana says nobody knows whether Mr Castro's decision not to seek another five-year term has been prompted by a decline in his health - it has been an official secret since the moment he was taken ill.
The president has not been seen in public for 18 months, although the government occasionally releases photographs and pre-edited video of him meeting visiting leaders from around the world.
Last month, Mr Castro was shown talking to his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who described him as being lucid and in good health.
Our correspondent says, Mr Castro will leave a mixed legacy - both friend and foe recognise him as an iconic leader and major figure in the post-war era.