Thousands line the streets to watch the convoy carrying the ashes of late Cuban leader Fidel
Fidel Castro’s ashes have been laid to rest in the Cuban city of Santiago, nine days after his death at 90.

Crowds lined the streets to see the cortege heading to the Santa Ifigenia cemetery for a private ceremony.

“There were no speeches. It was very simple,” France’s representative, Environment Minister Segolene Royal, said afterwards.

On Saturday Fidel’s brother, Cuban President Raul Castro, promised “to defend the fatherland and socialism”.

In a family ceremony, Fidel Castro’s ashes were interred next to those of the 19th Century Cuban independence hero, Jose Marti.

Santiago is known as the birthplace of the Cuban Revolution. The funeral brings an end to nine days of national mourning across Cuba.