Click to play videoNew Delhi: 76-year-old Raul Castro has taken over as Cuba's new president. He was elected as the new leader by the National Assembly on Sunday.
Raul took over from his brother after Fidel stepped down last week citing health reasons.
The senior Castro who ruled Cuba for almost half a century, was not present at the national assembly's landmark session to select the new leader. But he had voted for his successor in a sealed envelope and speaker Ricardo Alarcon announced later to the assembly.
The assembly was also choosing the country's Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the first vice president of the country through a secret vote.
The new president said the nation's sole legal party ''is the directing and superior force of society and the state.''
''This conviction has particular importance when because the founding and forging generation of the revolution is disappearing,'' RaulCastro added.
The US has said the change from one Castro to another would not be significant, calling it a ''transfer of authority and power from dictator to dictator light.''
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday Cubans have a right ''to choose their leaders in democratic elections'' and urged the government ''to begin a process of peaceful, democratic change by releasing all political prisoners, respecting human rights, and creating a clear pathway towards free and fair elections.''
Her statement, issued shortly before parliament met, called the developments a ''significant moment in Cuba's history.''
Cuba's parliament chose a new 31-member ruling body known as the Council of State to lead the country. The council's president serves as the head of state and government.
(With inputs from AP)
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