HAVANA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Raul Castro pledged here on Tuesday that the Cuban people will continue the cause of the late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who passed away late Friday at the age of 90.

Raul Castro, 85, made a speech at a massive rally and a state funeral to pay homage to Fidel Castro at the Revolution Plaza here on Tuesday night, which was attended by thousands of Cubans and high-level delegations from 55 countries.

The president recalled his brother's life, saying Fidel had devoted his life to the solidarity of the country, and his socialist revolution was "of the humble, by the humble, and for the humble."

"Fidel led a revolution that became a symbol of the international struggle against colonialism, apartheid and the emancipation of people," said Raul Castro.

In the past two days since Fidel Castro's passing away, thousands of Cubans, especially the younger generation, have signed the oath to continue Fidel's concept of revolution, Raul Castro said.

He also expressed gratitude for the condolence messages and words from foreign leaders, many of whom were attending the state funeral.

Among the international participants are Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao as a special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Bolivian President Evo Morales and Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa.

On Wednesday, Castro's ashes will begin a three-day procession across 13 Cuban provinces, and be placed on Sunday at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, the country's second-largest city, along with other heroes of Cuban history, such as the founding fathers of the independence against Spain Jose Marti and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes.