Raul Castro to remain head of Cuba's Communist Party until 2021
Raul Castro
Miguel Diaz-Canel was named Cuba's new president on Thursday
Cuba's Raul Castro stepped down as the President on Thursday making way for Miguel Diaz-Canel to take up the office.
While Castro handed over the baton to his successor Canel, he shared that he will continue to head Cuba's Communist Party until 2021.
86-year-old Castro noted that after 2021 he will continue to defend the revolution and be a soldier alongside the people of Cuba.
On Thursday, Cuba witnessed the presidential power handed-over to a non-Castro leader for the first time in the last 60 years.
Miguel Diaz-Canel was named Cuba's new president on Thursday. Canel succeeds Raul Castro putting an end to a historic six-decade-long Castro-rule over the country.
57-year-old Canel was the only candidate for the presidency and was elected to a five-year term.
Canel secured 603 out of 604 votes in the National Assembly.
(With inputs from agencies)