Cuba to start historic transition a day earlier

HAVANA – A legislative session that will see a historic political transition in Cuba is going to start one day earlier than expected.

Cuban state media are reporting that the government has moved up the start of a session of the National Assembly in which President Raul Castro plans to step down and hand over the office to a younger successor.

The session will now start Wednesday instead of Thursday.

Radio Rebelde first reported the change. Website Cubadebate says the session was moved up because of the steps necessary for such a momentous transition.

Castro is expected to pass the presidency to 57-year-old Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Raul Castro took over from his brother Fidel in 2008.