Apple’s Steve Jobs to take medical leave

SAN FRANCISCO - Apple’s iconic founder and chief executive Steve Jobs said Wednesday that he was taking medical leave from the company, leaving Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook in charge.

Jobs, who battled pancreatic cancer in 2004, announced the movie in an email to all Apple employees just a week after he blamed a hormonal imbalance for his gaunt appearance in recent months.

Apple’s success is closely associated with Jobs’ leadership and his decision is expected to have a detrimental effect on the company’s performance.

‘During the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought,’ said Jobs in the email.

‘In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.’

Jobs said that he would remain involved in ‘major strategic decisions’ during his absence.