Havana - New Cuban President Raul Castro on Sunday asked the country's National Assembly for permission to consult his brother and predecessor, Fidel Castro, over "decisions of particular transcendence.""Sure of expressing the feelings of our people, I ask this assembly ... to allow me to continue to consult the leader of the revolution, comrade Fidel Castro Ruz, on decisions of particular transcendence for the future of the nation, above all those linked to defence, foreign policy and the country's socio-economic development," Raul Castro said in his first speech as president.
The request was unanimously accepted and met with applause by the National Assembly, which was elected on January 20. Both Raul and Fidel Castro hold National Assembly seats.
Raul Castro said that his brother was "irreplaceable" as leader.
"The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution is just one. Fidel is Fidel, we all know that well," Raul said. "The people will continue his work when he is no longer physically there, but his ideas will always be there."
