SANTIAGO (Cuba): Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro was nominated on Sunday for a seat in the National Assembly, a sign he may not be planning to step down as head of state despite struggling to recover from a long illness.

Castro, 81, handed over power temporarily to his brother Raul 16 months ago after life-threatening stomach surgery and he has not been since in public since. To formally remain president he must be a deputy in the assembly.

To cries of “Viva Fidel” (Long live Fidel), municipal councillors in Santiago raised their hands to unanimously approve Castro’s name on a slate of candidates for elections on Jan 20 to Cuba’s national parliament. Since 1976, Castro has represented Santiago, the cradle of his revolution.—Reuters