Cuba is to release two more political prisoners and allow one of them to remain on the island, according to Catholic church officials.

Cuba is to release two more political prisoners and allow one of them
to remain on the island, according to Catholic church officials.

The men, identified as Angel Moya and Guido Sigler, were among 52
dissidents Havana agreed to free last July, in a deal brokered by the
Catholic Church.

Their release was reportedly delayed because they, and nine others,
refused to leave Cuba.

All but one of the 41 dissidents freed under the deal have gone to Spain.

But Church spokesman Orlando Marquez says Mr Moya is being allowed to
stay in Cuba, while Mr Sigler "has indicated a desire to go to the
United States".

Angel Moya is the husband of Bertha Soler, one of the leaders of the
Ladies in White opposition group.

"I am happy, as it is good news," Mrs Soler told Associated Press.
"But I am not totally satisfied because of the government's drip-drip
approach" (to letting the dissidents out).

The men have been in jail since 2003, when they were arrested along
with 73 other opposition figures in a mass government crackdown.

The Cuban authorities generally refer to the detained dissidents as
common criminals or stooges paid by Washington to destabilise the
island.