US President Barack Obama greeted staff from the newly re-opened American embassy in Havana. (File Photo)
US President Barack Obama greeted staff from the newly re-opened American embassy in Havana on Sunday, hailing an "historic opportunity" to cast aside Cold War enmity with Cuba.
"Back in 1928, President Coolidge came on a battleship, it took him three days to get here. It only took me three hours," said Obama after becoming the first US leader in 88 years to visit the communist-ruled island.
"This is a historic visit and a historic opportunity."
The meeting was scheduled to take place in an outside space at the embassy, but rain forced the reception to be held at a nearby hotel.
The embassy was reopened in August after a year-and-a-half of secret talks to reestablish diplomatic relations.
"Having a US embassy means we're more effectively able to advance our values, our interests and understand more effectively" the Cuban people's concerns, Obama said.
He also praised the staff's hard work, singling out three Cubans who had worked for the former US "interests section" for many years.
"I know it's been a pretty busy seven months," he said.
"It's all happening because of you. Every day you're bringing the US and Cuba closer together."
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