Washington - The United States has turned off an electronic billboard at its interest section in Cuba that was used to flash information and promote human rights, the US State Department said Monday.

The news ticker was turned off in June as the United States seeks to improve relations with the communist island and find ways to better exchange information.

"We believe that the billboard was really not effective as a means (of) delivering information to the Cuban people," Kelly said. "It was evident that the Cuban people weren't even able to read the billboard because of some obstructions that were put in front of it."

After the ticker began operating three years ago Cuban authorities placed billboards around the area negatively depicting the United States.

"The Cubans, for their part, did dismantle a few very negative billboards and graffiti around the US interests section, which we do see as a positive gesture," Kelly said.

Since taking office, President Barack Obama has explored opening dialogue with Cuba.(dpa)