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.

Cuba’s National Assembly could formalise Castro’s retirement as head of state when it approves the members of the executive council of state in March.

Castro said his duty is “to contribute experience and ideas whose modest value comes from the exceptional times I have lived through”. His comments at the end of the letter suggested he would not resume office but continue in the role of elder statesman advising the government on key issues.

Castro holds the posts of president of the Council of State and Council of Ministers, and first secretary of the ruling Communist Party.