WASHINGTON, Dec 15: Cuban President Fidel Castro is very ill and close to death, US Intelligence chief John Negroponte said in an interview published on Friday.

“Everything we see indicates it will not be much longer ... months, not years,” Mr Negroponte told The Washington Post.

The Cuban leader, 80, has not appeared in public since he underwent emergency intestinal surgery and temporarily handed over the presidency to his younger brother, Raul Castro, on July 31. Fidel Castro has been in power since 1959.

A delegation of 10 US lawmakers who favour easing sanctions against Communist-run Cuba arrive in Havana on Friday for a three-day visit.

The delegation has asked to meet the acting president, who has said he is open to talks with Washington.—Reuters