The United States has officially re-opened its embassy in Havana, 54 years after last closing its doors.

At a ceremony in the Cuban capital, the US Secretary of State John Kerry said: "The time has come for us to move in a more promising direction".

"The road of mutual isolation, estrangement that the US and Cuba have been traveling is not the right one."

"The establishment of normal diplomatic relations is something two countries do together when the citizens of both will benefit."

He added that the re-opening of the embassy was important on both a "people-to-people and government-to-government" level.

The embassy in Havana is seen in this undated photo |  Image: US State Department

He also said the US government would strongly favour Congressional action to lift an overall US embargo on trade with Cuba.

The United States formally dropped Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism back in May.

And there are also plans for an expansion of travel, and expanded sales and exports of certain goods and services from the US to Cuba.

John Kerry (left) meets marines who last lowered the flag in 1961 | Image: US State Department

On January 4th 1961, three US marines - Jim Tracy, FW Mike East, and Larry C Morris - lowered the American flag at the US embassy in Havana for the last time.

Mr East said: "It was a touching moment. To see Old Glory flying for the last time in Cuba, it was...just didn't seem right."

While Mr Tracy said: "I'm gonna love seeing that flag go back up".

The three men were in Havana for the ceremony:

Watch the flag raising ceremony below:

Watch the raising of the American flag for the first time in 54 years at @USEmbCuba. #USCuba http://t.co/C8o34I0Z6w

— Department of State (@StateDept) August 14, 2015