Havana - Outstanding Cuban revolutionary and intellectual Armando Hart passed away Sunday in this capital from a respiratory failure and will be buried at Havana cemetery on Monday morning.

Born in Havana on June 13, 1930, Hart joined the National Directorate of the July 26 Movement, and following the defeat of the dictatorship of General Fulgencio Batista on Janunary 1, 1959, he held several posts in the fledgling revolutionary government.

He was designated Minister of Culture since its creation until 1997 when took over as director of the Office of the Marti Program of the Council of State of Cuba.

As an intellectual he wrote extensively and delivered lectures on the historical figure and thought of Cuban National Hero Jose Marti.

Hart presided over the Jose Marti Cultural Society and was distinguished as Doctor Honoris Causa by prestigious Cuban and foreign universities.

By family decision, Armando Hart will be cremated and his ashes will be deposited at Havana Colon Cemetery.