Toppling of a dictator

It is something America has tried and failed to achieve for 50 years - bringing Fidel Castro to his knees.

CIA agents tried poisoning his shoes and planting bombs in his cigars. Perhaps they should have just laid out a thick piece of carpet instead.

Cuba's Marxist 78-year-old president came a cropper as he left a graduation ceremony for arts teachers in the central city of Santa Clara.

He tripped over as he left the podium and landed on his right side, first hitting his knee and hip, then his elbow and arm.

Security men ran to help Castro, who - despite sweating profusely - quickly regained his composure. Soon afterwards,

TV viewers saw him sitting on a chair saying he thought he had broken his knee 'and maybe an arm, but I am all in one piece'.

A medical examination later confirmed Castro had a broken left knee and had a hairline fracture in his upper right arm.

'His general health is good and he is in excellent spirits,' aides said a statement.

'He asked for calm, considering that very soon he will be back in place,' they added.

Parliament speaker Ricardo Alarcon said he was confident Castro would make a speedy recovery.