Former Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro dies aged 90

A revolutionary symbol, one of the world’s best-known and leaders, died late on Friday night after suffering a long battle with illness.

The revolutionary leader’s remains will be cremated early on Saturday, "in compliance with his expressed will", said Raul Castro-Cuban President, appearing in a green military uniform on the state television.

Fidel Castro, an revolutionary symbol, one of best-known leaders. Photo by Reuters.

Fidel Castro was the leader of the revolutionary movement of the country, toppling Batista dictatorship in 1959.

After the establishment of Cuban in 1959, he became Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976. Between 1976 and 2008 he was Chairman of the State Council of Cuba.

From 1961 to 2011, Mr. Castro was also the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party. Almost 10 years ago, he was hospitalized due to poor health conditions and his brother, Raul Castro, took over the leadership.

Fidel had succeeded in building a socialist country right next to the US coast, the country vehemently anti-social during the Cold War years from the 1950s to the early 1990s.

During five decades as the State leader of Cuba, he had repeatedly overcome and survived numerous US assassination attempts. Fidel survived through 9 different US presidents. In 1961, he defeated the Bay of Pig invasions by the CIA.

Mr. Fidel and General Vo Nguyen Giap, two revolutionary icons. Photo by Getty Images

After nearly 50 years leading the country, Fidel resigned as chairman of the State Council and Commander of the Cuban People's Army on February 18, 2008.

Constantly seen in camouflage uniforms, Fidel was famous for hours-long heroic speeches.

In his last years, Fidel Castro no longer held the leadership position in this Caribbean country. But he regularly writes commentaries on issues of the world and sometimes met with foreign leaders when they visited Cuba.

Vietnamese State President visited Mr. Fidel. Photo by Reuters.

Before his death, Fidel had witnessed one of the historical events when the Cuba - US relations experienced fine outcomes after decades.

In December, 2015, President Obama declared the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two countries, however, the lifting of economic sanctions against Cuba has yet to be completed, awaiting for decisions of the US Congress.