Fidel Castro has temporarily stepped down after undergoing intestinal surgery, handing power to his brother Raul, Cuban state television announced.

Castro has reportedly been operated on for intestinal bleeding.

President Hu Jintao yesterday sent a message of good wishes to Castro, the world's third longest serving head of state, wishing him a quick recovery.

Castro has led Cuba since his guerrillas swept down from the Sierra Maestra hills to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

The Cuban president, who will be 80 on August 13, said in a statement read out on television that he overexerted himself in July on a trip to a summit of South American leaders in Argentina and celebrations of his 1953 assault on a military garrison.

"This caused an acute intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding that obliged me to face a complicated surgical operation," he said in the "proclamation" read out by his personal aide Carlos Valenciaga.

"The operation obliges me to remain for several weeks resting, away from my responsibilities and duties," he said.

Castro gave the reins of the ruling Communist Party, the post of commander in chief of the armed forces and president of the executive council of state to his younger brother Raul, 75, on Monday.

It was the first time Castro has handed over all power to his brother, his right-hand man as Cuba's defence minister in control of a 50,000-strong army and the police force.

Castro is the world's third longest-serving head of state after Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He has defied Washington and a US economic embargo for more than four decades.

The streets of Havana, a city of 2 million, remained calm yesterday, with no signs of stepped up police patrols. Youths sipped rum and listened to guitar music on the Malecon sea-wall.

"It will all work out OK," said a parking attendant.

But residents of central Havana, an overcrowded district of dilapidated buildings, were worried and wanted to know more about Castro's condition, as they faced the hot summer night playing dominoes in the street.

"I ask God to save him. We love Fidel. He is the only salvation we have," said housewife Xiomara Llanes.

Castro's health has been an issue since he fainted during a speech in 2001.

His pace has slowed notably since he stumbled after a speech in October 2004, fracturing a knee and arm.

Source: China Daily/agencies