Cuba remembers Chavez

The long, single-file line filed through Revolution Square for hours as islanders paid their respects two days after the Venezuelan leader succumbed to cancer.

Some made the sign of the cross or saluted a picture of President Chavez, perched above a bed of white flowers and flanked by an honour guard.

Others cried "Long live Chavez" on leaving the memorial and many wept.

Similar scenes played out in cities across the island.

In the eastern city of Santiago, President Raul Castro placed a white rose in front of a picture of Mr Chavez and made a military salute.

President Castro called Mr Chavez an important figure in the history not only of Venezuela but of Cuba as well.

"What we were able to achieve with his influence in these few years will not be reversed," the Cuban president said before flying to Caracas for Mr Chavez's funeral.

"The Venezuelan people will know how to defend their victories, and we will be with them as we have so far, knee on the ground."

Venezuela has been a key supporter of Cuba, sending billions of dollars of oil to the island on preferential terms and becoming by far its largest commercial partner.

Flags flew at half-mast and newspapers were publishing in black and white only during two days of mourning in his honour.