Apple's Steve Jobs announces new medical leave

(NewsCore) - Apple chief executive Steve Jobs wrote in an email to employees Monday that he was taking a new leave of absence from the technology company to focus on his health.

"At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company," he wrote.

Jobs, 55, also said that he "asked [Apple's chief operating officer] Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple's day to day operations."

He added: "I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011. I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy."

Jobs previously took medical leave in 2009 and later disclosed that he had a liver transplant as part of his treatment for pancreatic cancer.