Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro says he will not be returning to lead the country and is retiring as head of state.
Castro, now 81, seized power in an armed revolution 49 years ago.
The news of his retirement was contained in a statement published on the website of the Communist Party's Granma newspaper.
"To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honour in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept ... the position of president of council of state and commander in chief," Castro said in his statement.
Castro said he would not seek a new presidential term when the National Assembly meets on February 24.
The National Assembly or legislature is expected to nominate his brother and designated successor Raul Castro as president in place of Castro, who has not appeared in public for almost 19 months after being stricken by an undisclosed
illness.
His retirement drew the curtain on a political career that spanned the Cold War and survived US enmity, CIA assassination attempts and the demise of Soviet Communism.
A charismatic leader famous for his long speeches delivered in his green military fatigues, Castro is admired in the Third World for standing up to the United States but considered by his opponents a tyrant who suppressed freedom.
