Havana, October 27 (RHC)-- The Cuban Council of State, upon the request of its President Raul Castro, agreed to accept the resignation submitted by Interior Minister and Army General Abelardo Colome due to health reasons.

An official announcement on Cuban television Tuesday evening explained that Abelardo Colome, Hero of the Republic of Cuba, will also be released from his responsibilities as Council of State member and will join the military reserve.

Given his outstanding revolutionary career, the Council of State agreed to grant Abelardo Colome the Order for the Service to the Homeland in its First Degree.

According to the announcement, the former minister will be replaced by Division General Carlos Fernandez Godin, who was First Deputy Interior Minister, a post now to be assumed by Vice Admiral Julio Cesar Gandarilla.