US State Dept hoists Cuban flag as diplomatic relations reboot

Washington

The United States and Cuba formally resumed diplomatic relations Monday, as the Cuban flag was raised at the US State Department in a historic gesture toward ending decades of hostility between the Cold war foes.

The Cuban red, white and blue standard joined the flags of other US allies flying outside the building in the US capital at about 4:00 am (0800 GMT), according to an AFP photographer. 

The flag was also set to be raised at Havana's diplomatic mission in Washington -- upgraded to an embassy as diplomatic ties formally resumed after the stroke of midnight -- for the first time since 1961.

The US interests section in Havana was also upgraded to a full embassy, with a more formal ceremony set to take place when US Secretary of State John Kerry visits in the coming weeks and officially hoists the banner.

Kerry will formally receive his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez for talks in Washington later Monday, and Rodriguez will preside over a ceremony at the Cuban embassy, a stone's throw from the White House.

The United States and Cuba announced on December 17 they would move toward normalizing relations after decades of enmity.