Havana, Cuba – An ailing Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president today after nearly a half-century in power, saying he was retiring and will not accept a new term when the new parliament meets Sunday.
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"I will not aspire to nor accept – I repeat, I will not aspire to nor accept – the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief," read a letter signed by Castro published early Tuesday in the online edition of the Communist Party daily Granma.
The announcement effectively ends the rule of the 81-year-old Castro after almost 50 years, positioning his 76-year-old brother Raul for permanent succession to the presidency.
President Bush was notified by his national security adviser while traveling in Africa. [AP]
Mazel Tov!