Cuba: Parliament nominates Raúl Castro replacement as Miguel Díaz-Canel

Raúl Castro's right-hand man Miguel Díaz-Canel has been selected as the sole candidate to succeed Cuba’s president.

Cuba’s parliament’s decision means the Castro family’s long rule over the country will come to an end.

But Mr Castro, who took over as president from his brother Fidel in 2006, is expected to remain a powerful influence in the communist state even after he steps down.

The National Assembly voted on the nomination but the result will not be officially announced until Thursday, according to reports.

He is then expected to formally pass the presidency to Mr Díaz-Canel.

But he will remain as head of the Communist Party until its next congress in 2021.