Fidel Castro quits as Cuba's president after nearly half-century

2/18/2008

HAVANA Ailing leader Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president early Tuesday after nearly a half-century in power, according to the state-run newspaper, Granma. Castro, 81, said in a letter published on Granma's Web site about 3 a.m. that he would not accept a new term when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday. There had been wide speculation about whether he would accept a nomination for re-election to that post or retire.