HAVANA, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Hurricane Ike moved off western Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday where the weak Category 1 storm was expected to strengthen in the warm waters on its way to the Gulf Coast.

Ike struck eastern Cuba on Sunday, dipped south into the Caribbean Sea and hit western Cuba on Tuesday on a destructive path that left widespread damage on the island, which still was reeling from Hurricane Gustav 10 days ago.

(Reporting by Esteban Israel; Editing by Jeff Franks and Bill Trott)

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