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Cubaâ€™s Castro resigned as president

19 February 2008 09:27 (UTC +04:00)

In a letter published in official online media Tuesday, the ailing Castro said he would not accept a new term when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday.
"To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honor in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept ... the position of president of council of state and commander in chief," the statement, published on the website of the Communist Partyâ€™s Granma newspaper, said.
No official reason for the resignation has been released.
Castroâ€™s brother, Raul, is expected to replace him in office.
In December, Castro suggested that he might stand down to make way for a leader from the younger generation. However, he might retain an honorary role and title.
"My essential duty is not to cling to office nor to obstruct the rise of people much younger, but to pass on experience and ideas whose modest value arises from the exceptional times in which I lived," Castro said in December.
He has led the country since the 1959 revolution.
Castro, 81, temporarily handed power to his younger brother Raul Castro in July 2006 after undergoing intestinal surgery. He hasnâ€™t been seen in public since his surgery, but he has appeared in numerous videos and photos in state media.
The favorite for the post is Carlos Lage, the 56-year- old vice-president. /APA/