Havana - Raul Castro succeeded his brother, Fidel Castro, as Cuban head of state on Sunday but promised to continue consulting the retired revolutionary on major decisions. Raul Castro, 76, was the only nominee for the post of president of the communist island's Council of State at the Palacio de Convenciones in Havana, one legislator told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
In his first speech as president, Raul Castro stressed that the new membership of the Council of State is a sign of the will "to keep strengthening the revolution, at a historic time that demands leaders who are dialectical and creative."
Raul said that his brother was "irreplaceable" as leader. There is "just one" commander in chief of the Cuban revolution.
"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."
The new leader asked the National Assembly for permission to consult his predecessor on key issues, "above all those linked to defence, foreign policy and the country's socio-economic development."
The request was unanimously accepted and applauded by the National Assembly, which was elected on January 20. Raul and Fidel Castro both still hold National Assembly seats.
Ailing Cuban president Fidel Castro, 81, said earlier this week that he would neither "aspire to" nor accept the country's leadership for a further five-year term.
Before formally stepping down on Sunday, Fidel Castro had led Cuba for 49 years, though he had "temporarily" ceded power to Raul since July 2006, after undergoing surgery for an unspecified but serious intestinal condition.
Fidel Castro took part in the process to elect his successor from the secret location where he is recovering.
To be elected Sunday, Raul and nominees to other posts needed at least 50 per cent of the votes cast by the National Assembly.
The 614-member assembly includes elected members of the country's 31-member Council of State, whose president serves as Cuba's head of state and government chief.
Raul Castro, Cuba's long-time defence minister, wore a dark suit and tie for Sunday's National Assembly session. He had been considered the favourite to lead Cuba ahead of the vote, after Fidel Castro made it clear Tuesday that he would stand down from the leadership position he had held for nearly half a century.
Although Raul's election as president of the Council of State had been expected, many observers noted surprise at the post of first vice president.
Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, 77, a member of the country's "revolutionary old guard" and a vice president until Sunday, was elected to Raul's previous position, in what many saw as a sign that few changes are in store. Many had expected the post to go to younger, reform-minded Carlos Lage, 56.
Ricardo Alarcon was elected National Assembly speaker for a fourth consecutive term. This designation, too, was interpreted as a likely sign that things will remain basically unchanged in Cuba, despite Fidel Castro's exit.
In his inaugural speech, Raul Castro stressed his will to maintain the country's socialist path, spoke of economic reform and called for increased efficiency, without specific commitments.
"The country will have as its priority to satisfy the basic needs of the population, both material and spiritual, based on the sustained strengthening of the national economy and its productive base, without which development would be impossible," he said.
He noted that any changes will require "time" and planning.
"A mistake motivated by improvisation, superficiality or hurry would have considerable negative consequences," he said.
Castro also addressed what he last year termed an "excess in prohibitions," but cautioned that only the "simplest" restrictions will be scrapped in the short run.
