Communist Party delegates gave their blessing to a sweeping slate of economic changes designed to breathe life and a bit of free-market spirit into Cuba's moribund economy, and also voted in a new party leadership at a historic summit.

President Raul Castro has named a new economy minister, and put the outgoing minister in charge of implementing economic reforms that will be hammered out at a Communist Party Congress.

Raul Castro said his government will scale back controls on small businesses, lay off unnecessary workers and allow more self-employment – significant steps in a country where the state dominates nearly every facet of the economy.