The Communist leadership assured Cubans yesterday that acting president Raul Castro was in firm control of the nation, backed by the military and ready to repel any attack.

CUBA’S Communist leadership launched a campaign yesterday emphasising Raul Castro’s revolutionary roots and loyalty to his older brother in an attempt to reassure Cubans that the revolution would continue while Fidel Castro recovers from surgery.

Cuba’s communist leadership launched a campaign today emphasising Raul Castro’s revolutionary roots and loyalty to his older brother, an attempt to reassure Cubans that the revolution would continue while Fidel Castro recovers from surgery.

Fidel Castro, who took control of Cuba in 1959, rebuffed repeated US attempts to oust him and survived communism’s demise almost everywhere else, temporarily relinquished his presidential powers to his brother Raul last night because of surgery.

Nine people, including five rebels and two civilians, have been killed in fighting around Columbia, authorities said.