Fidel Castro not dying, brother says

HAVANA - Cuban President Fidel Castro is recovering from intestinal surgery and not dying, his brother and stand-in Raul Castro has said, apparently responding to recent reports the Cuban president had terminal cancer.

"Fidel is doing well. He has a telephone and is using it more and more," Raul Castro told a congress of primary and junior high school students in Havana on Sunday.

"He is not dying as some press in Miami report, but constantly improving. But as he himself has said it will take time," Raul said, adding that the student delegates would hold a special session with Castro in December.

Raul said he and other leaders held a long meeting with his brother within the past 48 hours during which they discussed various "affairs of state" and Castro gave various instructions.

Time magazine reported over the weekend that US government officials believe Castro, 80, has terminal cancer. One official cautioned that definitive proof was not available.

The report was picked up around the world and by Miami media where close to a million Cubans reside.

The secrecy surrounding the Cuban president's condition and whereabouts has led to constant rumours about what ails the Castro, in power for 47 years.

Castro issued a communique on July 31 stating he was temporarily ceding power to his younger brother Raul, 75, because he was undergoing surgery for intestinal bleeding and would need weeks to recover.

Since then state-run media have carried videos and pictures of Castro meeting friends and dignitaries in his hospital room, the last time being more than two weeks ago when he met UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and other dignitaries in Havana for a Non-aligned Movement summit.

- REUTERS