HAVANA, Jan 21: Interim president Raul Castro said on Sunday the National Assembly would elect Cuba’s next president Feb 24, amid speculation ailing Fidel Castro might not be its choice for the first time in almost five decades.

In a bid to lay to rest doubts about Fidel Castro’s political future, his younger brother Raul announced the date as Cubans on Sunday ratified a new National Assembly in uncontested elections.

Fidel Castro, 81, who has been sidelined from power for nearly 18 months following major intestinal surgery, was among 614 uncontested candidates for the legislature, which will name 31 lawmakers to the Council of State that chooses the president.

—AFP