Raul Castro named Cuban president

Raul Castro has been unanimously selected to succeed his brother Fidel as leader by Cuba's National Assembly.

Raul was widely expected to be chosen for the post and his name was the only one put before the communist deputies.

Fidel Castro, 81, stepped down after nearly half a century in charge. He had been out of the public eye since July 2006 when he had major surgery.

Raul, 76, has in effect been president since and the National Assembly vote was seen as formalising his position.

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