Ailing Castro hints at retiring as head of state

AILING Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who has not been seen in public for 16 months, has suggested he might give up his formal leadership posts — the first time he has spoken of his possible retirement since he fell ill.

“My elemental duty is not to hold on to positions and less to obstruct the path of younger people,” the 81-year-old said in a letter read on state television.

Castro, who took power in a 1959 revolution, handed over temporarily to his brother Raul in July 2006 after stomach surgery for an undisclosed illness.