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 19 Feb Castro steps down as president
Fidel Castro (pictured), the Cuban President has announced he is stepping down as head of state and commander in chief of the country's armed forces.
Revered as one of the left wing political icons of the 20th Century, Castro (81) swept to power in an armed revolution in 1959. But of late he has suffered declining health.
Yesterday he announced in a statement published on the website of the Communist Party's Gran ma newspaper that he would not "aspire or accept" another term of office when the National Assembly meets on February 24.
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 - I repeat not aspire to or accept - the positions of President of Council of State and Commander in Chief."
Castro’s younger brother, Raul, currently acting president, is expected to be nominated as successor by the National Assembly or legislature.
Castro has been at loggerheads with successive US administrations since coming to power, and survived several CIA assassination attempts.
Renowned for his charisma and for his long speeches, Castro is much admired in the Third World for standing up to the US and for supporting liberation movements in Africa and South America.
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