Ailing, Ancient Cuban Dictator "Retires"

Highlighted on Drudge is what is currently a brief Reuters note:

HAVANA (Reuters) – Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro said on Tuesday that he will not return to lead the country, retiring as head of state 49 years after he seized power in an armed revolution.

“Developing”, needless to say.

Update: UPI adds:

HAVANA, Feb. 19 (UPI) — Fidel Castro, the ailing strongman who led Cuba for 47 years, is stepping down as president and commander in chief, it was reported Tuesday.

Castro, 81, who has been suffering from an undisclosed intestinal ailment, disclosed his resignation in a letter published in the state-run newspaper Granma, CNN reported. In that letter, he said he would not accept being elected to another term as president of the state council or commander in chief when the Parliament meets Sunday.

Since mid-2006, Castro’s younger brother, Raul, has been Cuba’s acting president, running the government’s day-to-day operations.

Fidel Castro ruled the communist island since leading a revolution that toppled Gen. Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

Michelle Malkin has more.