Castro 'almost fully recovered'

Cuban leader Fidel Castro has almost fully recovered from intestinal surgery that put his life at risk last year, a senior Cuban…

Cuban leader Fidel Castro has almost fully recovered from intestinal surgery that put his life at risk last year, a senior Cuban official told CNN yesterday.

National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon gave no indication of when or if President Castro, who has been out of power for the first time since his 1959 revolution, might return to governing Cuba.

"I think, in a way, he practically has fully recovered," Mr Alarcon told CNN.

He said Castro, 80, who handed over power temporarily to his brother Raul Castro July 31st after emergency surgery, has put the "worst behind him."

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"The problem was a very delicate surgery," Mr Alarcon said. "He had to have several surgeries. It was a very risky situation, now it is not anymore."

Mr Alarcon said Castro has been "reading a lot and writing also."