Castro reassures Cubans his health is stable

Cuba, seeking to reassure its people after Fidel Castro temporarily stepped down from power for surgery, released a statement from the long-time leader saying his health was stable and the defence of the island guaranteed, even as it sent more police today into neighbourhoods that have seen civil disturbances in the past.

Raul Castro, Fidel’s brother and designated successor, remained silent and out of sight today, issuing no statements of his own while the focus of state media remained solely on Fidel.