PANAMA CITY, March 2 (Reuters) - Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said on Friday he was optimistic ailing leader Fidel Castro would one day return to work as president.

"He is recovering noticeably," Perez Roque said on a visit to Panama. "We are optimistic he will return to work at the appropriate moment."

When asked if that meant Castro would take up presidential duties again, Perez Roque replied, "Yes."

Castro, 80, was forced to temporarily hand over power to his brother Raul last July after stomach surgery.

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