Castro steps aside after surgery
Cuban leader Fidel Castro has undergone surgery and temporarily handed power to his brother Raul.
A statement written by the president and read on TV by his secretary said Mr Castro had suffered internal bleeding.
It said this had been caused by stress following a trip to Argentina and last week's ceremonies marking the anniversary of Cuba's revolution.
Mr Castro, 79, has been in power since 1959. Raul Castro, the defence minister, is his designated successor.
Cuba has a communist, one-party system.
The BBC's Stephen Gibb in Havana says the fact that the Cuban leader did not appear in person to issue his statement has added to speculation about the gravity of his condition.
A major celebration of his 80th birthday had been planned for 13 August, but has now been postponed until December.
Handing over the reins of power will be a shock to many Cubans, 70% of whom have known no other leader, our correspondent adds.
A statement written by the president and read on TV by his secretary said Mr Castro had suffered internal bleeding.
It said this had been caused by stress following a trip to Argentina and last week's ceremonies marking the anniversary of Cuba's revolution.
Mr Castro, 79, has been in power since 1959. Raul Castro, the defence minister, is his designated successor.
Cuba has a communist, one-party system.
The BBC's Stephen Gibb in Havana says the fact that the Cuban leader did not appear in person to issue his statement has added to speculation about the gravity of his condition.
A major celebration of his 80th birthday had been planned for 13 August, but has now been postponed until December.
Handing over the reins of power will be a shock to many Cubans, 70% of whom have known no other leader, our correspondent adds.
posted by Alice at
Monday, July 31, 2006
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