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Fidel Castro announces retirement Fidel Castro announces retirement
(20 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 a younger generation.
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.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.
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: The great survivorCastro's life in pictures
"The moment has arrived to propose and elect the Council of State, its president, vice-president," he added."The moment has arrived to propose and elect the Council of State, its president, vice-president," he added.
"I just want to carry on fighting like a soldier for our ideas."
The National Assembly is widely expected to elect Raul Castro as his successor.The National Assembly is widely expected to elect Raul Castro as his successor.
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.
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.
Last month, Mr Castro was shown talking to his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.