Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed as new Cuban president

Miguel Díaz-Canel was selected on Thursday by the Cuban National Assembly as the new president of the State Council. He has taken over from Raúl Castro as Government leader and is the first person outside the Castro family to hold this position since 1959.

Diaz started as an administrator working for the Communist Party and has risen steadily within the ranks until reaching the vice-presidency.

The former vice-president was nominated for the role on Wednesday and was voted in on Thursday with 99.83% (all voters except one) of votes according to Cuban media.

Although analysts are expecting his power to be limited since Raúl Castro will still occupy the role of Secretary of the Communist Party, which retains all the State powers.

The political transition has been a process that started on 26 November last year and has developed a long and complex electoral process until reaching a candidate that was agreeable to all.

"I am here to speak on behalf of all Cubans, and today I am beginning a new mandate, which I do with all the responsibility and with the awareness that we are not just inaugurating another term of office," said the president.