Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro dies aged 90

Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary leader, died on Friday, his brother, President Raul Castro announced to the nation. He was 90.

Castro had been in poor health since an intestinal ailment nearly killed him in 2006 and he formally ceded power to his younger brother two years later.

Wearing an olive colored military uniform, Raul Castro appeared on state television to announce his brother's death.

"At 10.29 in the night, the chief commander of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, died," he said.

"Ever onward, to victory."

Castro's remains will be cremated, according to his wishes.

The bearded Fidel Castro took power in a 1959 revolution and ruled Cuba for 49 years with a mix of charisma and iron will.

He fended off a CIA-backed invasion at the Bay of Pigs in 1961 as well as countless assassination attempts.

In his final years, Fidel Castro no longer held leadership posts. He wrote newspaper commentaries on world affairs and occasionally met with foreign leaders but he lived in semi-seclusion.

His death - which would once have thrown a question mark over Cuba's future - seems unlikely to trigger a crisis as Raul Castro, 85, is firmly ensconced in power.

REVOLUTIONARY ICON

A Jesuit-educated lawyer, Fidel Castro led the revolution that ousted U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista on Jan 1, 1959. Aged 32, he quickly took control of Cuba and sought to transform it into an egalitarian society.

His government improved the living conditions of the very poor, achieved health and literacy levels on a par with rich countries and rid Cuba of a powerful Mafia presence.

Over the years, he expanded his influence by sending Cuban troops into far-away wars, including 350,000 to fight in Africa. They provided critical support to a left-wing government in Angola and contributed to the independence of Namibia in a war that helped end apartheid in South Africa.

He also won friends by sending tens of thousands of Cuban doctors abroad to treat the poor and bringing young people from developing countries to train them as physicians.

For most Cubans, Fidel Castro has been the ubiquitous figure of their entire life.