Cuba denies Castro cancer claims

Version 0 of 1.

The interim leader of Cuba has denied US media reports that his brother, President Fidel Castro, has terminal cancer and will not return to power.

Raul Castro said the president, who had intestinal surgery late in July, was "getting better all the time".

He said Mr Castro had a phone by his side and was using it more for working.

The comments came after Time magazine reported on Mr Castro's alleged terminal illness at the weekend, quoting an unnamed US official.

"Certainly we have heard this, that this guy has terminal cancer," the official told the New York-based magazine.

But Raul Castro told a youth congress in Havana his brother was "not dying as some media in Miami are saying.

"He is resting, but works each day a little more."

Mr Castro handed temporary power to his brother in July, prompting speculation that his 47-year rule was nearly over.

Cubans were told that details of the ailment would be kept secret to prevent Cuba's enemies from taking advantage of them.