By Anthony Boadle
HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's National Assembly met on Sundayto name a successor to Fidel Castro, ending the rule of thebearded revolutionary who dominated the island for five decadesof communism and confrontation with the United States.
His brother Raul Castro, who has been running Cuba sincethe 81-year-old leader was sidelined by illness 19 months ago,is widely expected to be named the next president.
Whether Raul Castro will open the door to limited economicreforms is foremost in the minds of many Cubans struggling tocope with low wages and shortages of basic goods.
The 614-member legislature will announce the composition ofthe Council of State, the island's highest executive body, ataround 2:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. British time).
"It is going to be Raul Castro, because he has always beenthe Number 2 and kept to the revolution's line. Continuity isguaranteed," said an employee of the army-owned tourism companyGaviota who gave his name as Moreno.
Fidel Castro, who announced his retirement as presidentlast Tuesday, ousted a U.S.-backed dictator in an armedrevolution in 1959 to become an icon of the left, a tyrant tohis foes and a perpetual thorn in Washington's side.
Transformed by illness from a tireless firebrand who gaveseven-hour speeches under the Caribbean sun into a shufflingold man, he has not appeared in public since undergoingintestinal surgery in July 2006.
National Assembly members stood and applauded on Sunday asFidel Castro's name was read out at the top of the list oflegislators elected in a nationwide vote last month.
Castro said last week he was too weakened by his illness tocontinue governing but he will retain significant influence asfirst secretary of the ruling Communist Party and vows tosoldier on in the "battle of ideas" by writing articles onworld affairs.
Anti-Castro exiles and U.S. President George W. Bush haveled calls for democratic reform on the island.
But in the streets of Havana, few Cubans think that, withFidel Castro gone, the West's last communist state will crumbleswiftly like many Soviet allies did. There was no increase inpolice presence.
"For me, it's like a normal day. I'm not worried becauseeverything's going to carry on the same," said Carlos, 44, ashe laid out green peppers at a corner market in the Vedadodistrict. "Fidel was great, we won't have anyone like him."
Baker Mario Santos said low wages and a worthless currencyneeded fixing but Cuba had good things too, such as low crimeand a social safety net.
"In the United States if you don't work, you don't eat," hesaid. "Things could change, but Fidel is not dead, and peoplehere are Fidelistas, not comunistas."
BATTLING ON
Though he has faded from the public stage, staunch Castrosupporters say he is still the unquestionable "leader of therevolution" and will continue pulling the strings of power.
"Fidel will never resign from revolution and power," saidAlejandro Ferras, 87, who followed Castro in a near suicidalguerrilla attack on the Moncada army barracks in 1953. "He willcontinue fighting like a soldier in the Battle of Ideas."
An army general who has lived in the shadow of his morefamous and charismatic brother, Raul Castro is seen as a goodmanager more concerned with putting food on Cuban tables thanwaging an ideological war against the United States.
As acting president, Raul Castro has fostered debate on thefailings of Cuba's state-run economy and raised expectationsthat reform may be coming. In December, the long-time defenceminister stated that Cuba has "excessive prohibitions."
But so far he has delivered little, other than relaxingcustoms rules for appliances and car parts that are much indemand and desperately short in supply in Cuba.
Many Cubans hope they will soon be allowed to freely buyand sell their homes, travel abroad and stay at hotels andbeaches where only foreigners can now set foot.
Last year, Raul Castro extended an olive branch to theUnited States, saying he was open to talks but only after Bush,who tightened economic sanctions and travel restrictions toCuba, leaves office.
Bush administration officials rejected the offer, callingRaul Castro "Fidel Lite" and denouncing what they see as thehanding of power from one dictator to another.
(Reporting by Anthony Boadle and Marc Frank, Editing byAngus MacSwan and Kieran Murray)
(For special coverage from Reuters on Castro's retirement,see: http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/cuba)
