BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Former Cuban President Fidel Castro has attended a session of the Parliament for the first time since August 2010.

Seated beside his brother President Raul Castro, Fidel spoke to the lawmakers and thanked voters for electing him. He also praised Cuba’s social struggle as the most efficient political school a country has ever had. The former president is 86 and has appeared increasingly frail in recent months.

During the session on Sunday, Raul Castro was re-elected President, but said he will step down in 2018 after a final five-year term. Raul Castro also named Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his top lieutenant, as the first in the line of succession.

(Source: CNTV.cn)