Ailing Castro hands power to younger brother

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Published: 01 August, 2006, 10:15

Cuban leader Fidel Castro stepped down temporarily ahead of intestinal surgery and delegated power to younger brother Raul. The news was announced by an aide, reading a letter from the president on state television.

Castro, turning 80 in two weeks’ time, blamed the illness on stress from recent public appearances in Argentina and Cuba. He’s the world's longest-serving leader, head of state in Cuba since coming to power after the island’s revolution in 1959.

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