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1st LD: U.S., Cuba to reopen embassies, restore diplomatic ties: Obama

Xinhua, July 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United States and Cuba have agreed to formally reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies, U.S. President Barack Obama said Wednesday.

"This is a historic step in our efforts to normalize relations with the Cuban government and people, and begin a new chapter with our neighbors in the Americas," Obama said at the White House.

He said Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Havana later this summer to raise the American flag over the U.S. embassy.

Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro announced in December a thaw in relations following more than five decades of enmity. Washington and Havana have held four rounds of talks in past months in a bid to restore diplomatic relations. Endite