According to a Feb. 24 BBC report, former leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro made a rare public appearance at the opening session of the National Assembly in Havana today. Castro joined his brother Raul Castro, the current President of the communist nation. The Castro brothers were warmly greeted by over 600 deputies.
This is the second time the former president has been seen at the assembly since he handed over power in 2006. The assembly is expected to name Raul, 81, for another five-year term as president, and then elect a new speaker. Raul took over as provisional president in 2006 when Fidel fell ill.
Fidel, 86, reportedly, appeared “frail and stooped” earlier this month when he was spotted out voting for the National Assembly. There is no word on whether he plans to speak at the current meeting, but during his last National Assembly appearance in 2010, he warned that a confrontation between the United States and Iran could lead to a nuclear confrontation.
According to NBC World News, the frail former leader’s surprise appearance increased expectations, sparked by his brother, that the session may shed some light on future leadership of the nation. During a meeting with reporters on Friday, Raul Castro joked about his eventual retirement and urged them to pay attention to Sunday's conclave, which is closed to foreign journalists, reports NBC. “I'm going to turn 82; I have a right to retire already,” he said. “You don't believe me? Why are you so incredulous?” he said.
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