Cuba is observing nine days of national mourning for former President Fidel Castro, who has died at the age of 90.
The socialist revolutionary's death was announced by his brother, Raul Castro, the incumbent Cuban president, on state television late on Friday.
In his address the elderly leader said Mr Castro, who ruled Cuba since 1959 and survived countless assassination attempts, died at 10.29pm on Friday.
Former London mayor Ken Livingstone has said Fidel Castro was an "absolute giant of the 20th century", and blamed the US for the restrictions on civil liberties under his leadership.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Livingstone said Mr Castro "did things that were wrong", adding: "initially he wasn't very good on lesbian and gay rights, but the key things that mattered was that people had a good education, good healthcare and wealth was evenly distributed.
"He was not living as a billionaire laundering money off into a Panamanian bank account or anything like that, he was good for the people."
As for Cuba's future, he said: "I'm sure they will, over time, move towards something like a traditional west European democracy. It could have happened a lot earlier if you hadn't had, the entire time, a blockade by America, attempts to overthrow the regime, eight assassination attempts authorised by American presidents."
Thousands of people turned out to bid farewell to Fidel Castro as the former Cuban leader's ashes began their final journey.
Raul Castro and South American leaders were among those who attended a massive evening tribute to the late Cuban president.
Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea, has paid his respects to Fidel Castro, former leader of Cuba.