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Cuba to select Castro's successor Cuba to select Castro's successor
(about 4 hours later)
Cuba's National Assembly is meeting 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 meeting 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. Unconfirmed reports say his younger brother Raul Castro has been nominated to succeed him.
This would formalise a position 76-year-old Raul has effectively held since July 2006, when Fidel Castro underwent intestinal surgery. The 76-year-old Raul has effectively run Cuba 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-charted 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-charted waters in an unpredictable period of economic and political renewal, our correspondent adds.
Cubans in Havana discuss the priorities of their next presidentIn picturesCubans in Havana discuss the priorities of their next presidentIn 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 Raul Castro has suggested he will implement major economic reforms and "structural changes".If selected during Sunday's meeting 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
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
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.