Carter calls for end to Cuban embargo

Former US President Jimmy Carter has called on US to end its 40-year economic embargo against Cuba.

With President Fidel Castro looking on, Mr Carter said that the United States "should take the first step" towards improving relations between the two countries.

He also urged President Castro to allow UN Human Rights commissioner Mary Robinson to visit Cuba and praised a project by Cuban dissidents seeking a referendum on broad political and economic reforms.

So far Washington has not reacted officially to the speech.