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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/19/wcastro219.xml
Fidel Castro resigns as president of Cuba
By Bonnie Malkin
Last Updated: 11:46am GMT 19/02/2008
Fidel Castro has resigned after 50 years as president and commander in chief of Cuba, leaving power in the hands of his brother Raul.
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Resignation statement in full | Castro in quotes
In a message published in the online version of the official state newspaper Granma, he said he would not return to lead the country.
Castro took power in a 1959 revolution
"To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honour in recent days of electing me a member of parliament... communicate to you that I neither will aspire to nor will I accept - I repeat - I neither will aspire to nor will I accept, the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief."
"It would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total devotion, that I am not in physical condition to offer," he said.
Castro's message came just five days before a historic session in the National Assembly in which he was up for reelection for another five-year mandate.
But the National Assembly is now expected to nominate his brother and designated successor Raul Castro, 76, as president.
