HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro says Cuba is ready to cooperate with the United States in the battle against Ebola.

The 88-year-old ex-leader writes in state news media on Saturday that cooperation would be in the interest of “the peace of the world.”

Cuba has already sent 165 doctors and nurses to help fight Ebola in Sierra Leone and it plans to send 296 others soon to Liberia and Guinea. That effort has brought unusual praise from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is sending hundreds of soldiers as well as health care workers to aid in efforts to control the disease.

Cuban officials say they will try to organize more aid for the afflicted West African countries at a meeting with Cuban allies and international health organizations on Monday.

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