Cuba parade ends, no appearance by Fidel Castro

Cuba parade ends, no appearance by Fidel Castro
Sat 2 Dec 2006 15:00:14 GMT

HAVANA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - A military parade marking the 80th birthday of
Fidel Castro ended on Saturday without the appearance of the ailing
leader Cuban leader at what had been viewed as a key test of his health
and political future.

Castro has not been seen in public since July, when he underwent
intestinal surgery and temporarily turned over power to his brother Raul
Castro, who spoke at the event but said nothing about his brother's
condition or absence.

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