From BBC News

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.

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.

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