Raul Castro announced Sunday that he will step down as Cuba's president in 2018 following a final five-year term, for the first time putting a date on the end of the Castro era. (Feb. 24)

DURATION: 50

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SHOTLIST:

SOURCE -- AP TELEVISION -- AP Clients Only

Havana -- Feb. 24, 2013

1. Wide of Cuban National Assembly applauding as Cuban President Raul Castro prepares to deliver speech

2. Wide of President Raul Castro next to new Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel

3. Med of President Raul Castro speaking at the podium

4. AP Photo of Miguel Diaz-Canal

5. Med of President Raul Castro speaking at the podium

6. Cutaway of lawmakers listening to speech

7. Med of President Raul Castro speaking at the podium

VOICE-OVER SCRIPT:

RAUL CASTRO HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO STEP DOWN AS CUBA'S PRESIDENT IN 2018 -- PUTTING THE END OF THE CASTRO ERA IN SIGHT.

THE 81 YEAR OLD BROTHER OF FIDEL CASTRO PLANS TO SERVE ONE LAST FIVE-YEAR TERM.

AND HE HAS TAPPED 52-YEAR-OLD MIGUEL DIAZ-CANEL (cah-NEHL) TO BE FIRST IN THE LINE OF SUCCESSION.

DIAZ-CANEL IS A RISING POLITICAL STAR IN CUBA -- AND CASTRO ALSO TAPPED HIM TO BECOME THE PRESIDENT'S TOP LIEUTENANT.

IN A 35 MINUTE SPEECH -- CASTRO ALSO SAID HE HOPES TO ESTABLISH TWO-TERM LIMITS AND AGE CAPS FOR POLITICAL OFFICES -- INCLUDING THE PRESIDENCY.

BUT HE TURNED AWAY ANY IDEA THAT CUBA WOULD SOON ABANDON SOCIALISM BY SAYING HE HAD NOT ASSUMED THE PRESIDENCY IN ORDER TO DESTROY CUBA'S SYSTEM.

SIGOUT - Name/Associated Press