Castro hints at retirement

Cuba's Fidel Castro has indicated that he may retire after nearly five decades in power.The ailing 81-year-old leader is the last of the major players of the Cold War still alive. Seven out of ten Cubans were born after Castro's revolution and have known no other leader.But for the first time he has indicated that he may draw a line under his tenure in power to pave the way for a younger successor.Speaking on state television, he said: "My elemental duty is not to hold on to positions and less to obstruct the path of younger people."Castro, who took power in a 1959 revolution, handed it over temporarily to his younger brother Raul Castro, 76, in July 2006 after undergoing stomach surgery.Cuba's National Assembly could formalise Castro's retirement as head of state when it approves the members of the executive Council of State at its new session in March.His illness last year sparked speculation about the end of one-party Communist rule in Cuba.But most observers agree that a stable transfer of power has occurred to his Defence Minister brother as acting president.The younger Castro has encouraged debate on the country's main economic problems and promised "structural changes" in agriculture to ensure Cubans have enough food.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

» More on this story... «

ITN | December 18, 2007

Tags:. .line. .speaking. .july. .problems. .march