The United States dropped Cuba from its blacklist as a "state sponsor of terrorism" on Friday, in a landmark move aimed at paving the way towards normalizing ties frozen for half a century.

The United States dropped Cuba from its blacklist as a "state sponsor of terrorism" on Friday, in a landmark move aimed at paving the way towards normalizing ties frozen for half a century.

The decision means Cuba will now have better access to US banking facilities and American aid, and a ban on arms exports and sales is also lifted.

It also wipes out an international stigma which Havana -- on the "blacklist" since 1982 -- has long contended was groundless and unfair.

US President Barack Obama had notified Congress earlier this year that he intended to remove Havana from the list, giving lawmakers 45 days to object, which elapsed Friday.