Fidel's brother new Cuba president

Fidel Castro's brother Raul has been confirmed by the National Assembly as Cuba's new president.

Fidel retired five days ago after 49 years as leader of the West's last communist country.

Jose Ramon Machado Ventura - a Communist party hardliner - has been confirmed as the new first vice president.

In his first speech Raul Castro said he would still consult his brother on important decisions of state.

Julia Sweig, an expert on Cuba at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in Washington said: "This is about signalling continuity externally and internally."

She added: "Raul is really a pragmatist and for all of them the clock on bread and butter issues starts ticking now."

Raul Castro has been leading Cuba since July 2006 when Fidel temporarily handed over power after undergoing intestinal surgery. He officially retired on Tuesday.

Raul lacks the oratorical flair of Fidel but he has encouraged ordinary Cubans to raise their concerns about shortages and inefficiencies in the economy.

He has been labelled "Fidel Lite" by the U.S. administration, which has also criticised the transition as the handing of power from one dictator to another.

America's Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: "We urge the Cuban 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."

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