The White House said on Tuesday that it is closely monitoring the situation in Cuba with the deterioration of elderly leader Fidel Castro's health, the AP reported.

The Bush administration is "monitoring the situation," White House spokesman Peter Watkins said.

"We can't speculate on Castro's health, but we continue to work for the day of Cuba's freedom," Watkins said.

It is official U.S. policy to "undermine" Cuba's planned succession from Castro to his brother Raul, to whom Fidel Castro temporarily transferred power Monday, citing an operation over an intestinal problem and internal bleeding, the AP report said.

Cuba has been under a U.S. financial embargo since 1961. Castro, who took control of Cuba in 1959, has survived repeated U.S. attempts to topple him.

Source: Xinhua