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UK's democracy call after Castro UK's democracy call after Castro
(20 minutes later)
Downing Street says the retirement of Cuban leader Fidel Castro is "an opportunity" for the country to make progress towards democracy.Downing Street says the retirement of Cuban leader Fidel Castro is "an opportunity" for the country to make progress towards democracy.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said he hoped it would lead "to more respect for human rights and the release of political prisoners".Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said he hoped it would lead "to more respect for human rights and the release of political prisoners".
"This is now an opportunity to make progress towards a peaceful transition to a pluralist democracy," he said."This is now an opportunity to make progress towards a peaceful transition to a pluralist democracy," he said.
Mr Castro says he will not return to the presidency because of ill health.Mr Castro says he will not return to the presidency because of ill health.
He handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul, in July 2006 when he underwent intestinal surgery.He handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul, in July 2006 when he underwent intestinal surgery.
'Spirit of the revolution'
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 might possibly step down in favour of younger leaders, saying "my primary duty is not to cling to any position".In December, Mr Castro indicated that he might possibly step down in favour of younger leaders, saying "my primary duty is not to cling to any position".
It is important for the international community, especially America, to hold out the hand of friendship Edward DaveyLiberal Democrats
Ian Gibson, chair of the parliamentary all-party group on Cuba, said he thought Mr Castro's retirement could lead to an opening out of the island's relations with the rest of the world.
"I think the spirit of the revolution will live on in the younger generation of Cubans, but I would certainly think there will be differences in the relationships with other countries," he said.
"Cuba understands that it is a global economy now - I think there will be less fear of America and more interaction with Europe."
Labour MP Ian Davidson, a fellow member of the all-party group, said he hoped Cuba would not become an issue in the upcoming US presidential elections.
"The lower profile Cuba has in the American elections, the better for Cuba," he said
"I hope that Cuba is left free to make its own political arrangements without external interference. It very much depends upon the attitude the United States takes."
Family dynasty
He said Castro's achievements in building Cuba's healthcare and education systems had been "quite stunning", especially against a background of what he described as decades of US "economic terrorism".
Edward Davey, the Lib Dems foreign affairs spokesman, said he hoped the international community would encourage the process of democratic reform.
"With Fidel Castro gone, we must hope that Cuba carries out major reforms and joins the democratic world," he said.
"It would be a tragedy if he were succeeded by a family dynasty.
"It is important for the international community, especially America, to encourage reform and hold out the hand of friendship."