- HAVANA: Cuba's Parliament opened one of its twice-annual sessions Monday without its most famous member — Fidel Castro, who once again missed a chance to share the public stage with his younger brother Raul despite a string of recent appearances.
The 83-year-old Fidel has not been seen publicly with Raul, who took over Cuba's presidency, since he stepped down first temporarily and then permanently four years ago. He also missed a July 26 celebration of Revolution Day, despite widespread anticipation that the former leader might show up.
The elder Castro remains a member of parliament, but his chair to the right of Raul was empty on Monday.
Outside Cuba, debate has intensified recently over who is guiding major government policy following the sudden media blitz by Fidel — who had almost completely disappeared from public view since emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006.
