Is he dead Jim?

Castro suggests he will not hold on to power

HAVANA (Reuters) - Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who has not been seen in public for 16 months, suggested on Monday he might give up his formal leadership posts, the first time he has spoken of his possible retirement.

“My elemental duty is not to hold on to positions and less to obstruct the path of younger people,” the 80-year-old Castro said in a letter read on Cuban television.

Castro, who took power in a 1959 revolution, handed over temporarily to his brother Raul in July 2006 after undergoing stomach surgery.

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

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle, Editing by Kieran Murray)

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