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Cuba to select Castro's successor Cuba to select Castro's successor
(about 3 hours later)
Cuba's National Assembly is due to select a new head of state to replace Fidel Castro, 81, who is stepping down after nearly half a century in charge.Cuba's National Assembly is due to select a new head of state to replace Fidel Castro, 81, who is stepping down after nearly half a century in charge.
It is widely expected that his younger brother Raul Castro will succeed him.It is widely expected that his younger brother Raul Castro will succeed him.
This would formalise a position 76-year-old Raul has effectively held since July 2006, when Fidel Castro underwent intestinal surgery.This would formalise a position 76-year-old Raul has effectively held since July 2006, when Fidel Castro underwent intestinal surgery.
But Cuba could opt for a member of a younger generation of politicians, says the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana.But Cuba could opt for a member of a younger generation of politicians, says the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana.
These include Vice-President Carlos Lage, 56, or Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, 42.These include Vice-President Carlos Lage, 56, or Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, 42.
Economic reformsEconomic reforms
Whoever takes over will have to steer the Caribbean island through un-chartered waters in an unpredictable period of economic and political renewal, our correspondent adds.Whoever takes over will have to steer the Caribbean island through un-chartered waters in an unpredictable period of economic and political renewal, our correspondent adds.
Raul Castro has a reputation as an organiser who gets things done href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_cubans_discuss_their_new_leader0s_priorities/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_cubans_discuss_their_new_leader0s_priorities/html/1.stm', '1203840885', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Cubans in Havana discuss the priorities of their next president href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_cubans_discuss_their_new_leader0s_priorities/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_cubans_discuss_their_new_leader0s_priorities/html/1.stm', '1203840885', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures
The 614-member assembly, itself elected during polls in January, will also select a vice president and the entire 32-strong executive Council of State.The 614-member assembly, itself elected during polls in January, will also select a vice president and the entire 32-strong executive Council of State.
If selected during Sunday's meeting, which is due to start at 1000 (1500 GMT), Raul Castro has suggested he will implement major economic reforms and "structural changes".If selected during Sunday's meeting, which is due to start at 1000 (1500 GMT), Raul Castro has suggested he will implement major economic reforms and "structural changes".
He has worked to ensure a smooth political transition, keeping the army loyal to the regime and strengthening the Communist Party's hold by introducing reforms and weeding out corrupt officials.He has worked to ensure a smooth political transition, keeping the army loyal to the regime and strengthening the Communist Party's hold by introducing reforms and weeding out corrupt officials.
He has also had the advantage of continued economic support from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the form of millions of barrels of cheap oil, our reporter adds.He has also had the advantage of continued economic support from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the form of millions of barrels of cheap oil, our reporter adds.
Letter announcementLetter announcement
I just want to carry on fighting like a soldier of ideas Fidel CastroLetter published in Granma Excerpts of Castro's letterCastro: The great survivorProfile: Raul CastroI just want to carry on fighting like a soldier of ideas Fidel CastroLetter published in Granma Excerpts of Castro's letterCastro: The great survivorProfile: Raul Castro
Mr Castro, who has ruled Cuba since leading a revolution in 1959, announced his retirement in a letter published on the website of the Cuban Communist Party's newspaper Granma last week.Mr Castro, who has ruled Cuba since leading a revolution in 1959, announced his retirement in a letter published on the website of the Cuban Communist Party's newspaper Granma last week.
He said he had not stepped down after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in 2006 because he had had a duty to the Cuban people to prepare them for his absence.He said he had not stepped down after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in 2006 because he had had a duty to the Cuban people to prepare them for his absence.
But retirement, he added, would not stop him from carrying "on fighting like a soldier of ideas", and he promised to continue writing essays entitled Reflections of Comrade Fidel.But retirement, he added, would not stop him from carrying "on fighting like a soldier of ideas", and he promised to continue writing essays entitled Reflections of Comrade Fidel.
Though he has not been seen in public for 19 months, the government occasionally releases photographs and pre-edited video of him meeting visiting leaders from around the world.Though he has not been seen in public for 19 months, the government occasionally releases photographs and pre-edited video of him meeting visiting leaders from around the world.
HAVE YOUR SAY With Chavez in the background providing cheap oil, the new government will see less need to adopt a progressive economy.Alfred Saville, Hamilton, CanadaSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY With Chavez in the background providing cheap oil, the new government will see less need to adopt a progressive economy.Alfred Saville, Hamilton, CanadaSend us your comments
The retiring leader will be remembered as one of the most distinctive and enduring icons from the second half of the 20th Century, the BBC's Paul Keller writes.The retiring leader will be remembered as one of the most distinctive and enduring icons from the second half of the 20th Century, the BBC's Paul Keller writes.
With his olive green fatigues, beard and Cuban cigars, Fidel Castro was the original Cold Warrior.With his olive green fatigues, beard and Cuban cigars, Fidel Castro was the original Cold Warrior.
Under his leadership Cuba established the first Marxist-Leninist state in the Western hemisphere, almost within sight of the US coastline.Under his leadership Cuba established the first Marxist-Leninist state in the Western hemisphere, almost within sight of the US coastline.
Embracing communism and the patronage of the Soviet Union, Fidel Castro transformed Cuba economically and socially but had to struggle when it collapsed.Embracing communism and the patronage of the Soviet Union, Fidel Castro transformed Cuba economically and socially but had to struggle when it collapsed.
He leaves his country with universal free healthcare and a much-admired education system, which has produced doctors for the developing world, but also a failing economy.He leaves his country with universal free healthcare and a much-admired education system, which has produced doctors for the developing world, but also a failing economy.