Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro has made a rare public appearance, joining his brother, President Raul Castro, at the opening session of the National Assembly in Havana.
It was only his second visit to the assembly since he fell ill in 2006 and handed power to his brother.
The assembly is expected to name Raul Castro for another five-year term as president and to elect a new speaker.
President Castro has said top officials should only serve two terms at most.
Correspondents say the younger politicians named to top posts in this assembly may one day run Cuba once the Castro brothers have gone.
Frail
The arrival at the assembly chambers of Fidel and Raul Castro was warmly greeted by more than 600 deputies gathered there.
It is not known whether this time Fidel, who is 86, will take to the podium.
He was seen in public earlier this month voting for the National Assembly. Correspondents say he appeared frail and stooped.
Mr Castro has given up all his official positions, except his spot as deputy.
During his last appearance at the National Assembly, in 2010, Fidel Castro warned that a confrontation between the United States and Iran could lead to a nuclear confrontation.
The assembly is expected to elect Raul Castro, who is 81, for another term of office.
He took over provisionally in 2006 when Fidel fell ill.
But this would only be his second full term after formally assuming the presidency in 2008.
Raul Castro has said in the past that top public officials, including the president, should not remain in office for more than two terms.
The assembly will also choose a new president of the assembly, following Ricardo Alarcon’s retirement after 20 years. He says he will be campaigning for the release of five Cuban agents sentenced to prison in the US for spying.
