Cuban leader now Thin-del Castro

Cuban leader Fidel Castro says he is recovering well from intestinal surgery a month ago, despite losing 18.6kg.

But the 80-year-old said in a statement yesterday that a full recovery from his undisclosed illness would take a long time. He said the last of his stitches was removed after 34 days of convalescence following surgery that forced him to turn over power to his younger brother, Raul.

"One can say that the most critical moment is behind us. Today I am recovering at a satisfactory pace," Castro said in the message.

Castro will be receiving foreign dignitaries ahead of next week's summit of the Nonaligned Movement of 116 developing nations in Havana.

The Cuban leader is not expected to be strong enough to host the event, attended by around 50 heads of state from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

But a brief appearance has not been ruled out.

Castro asked the country to understand the need to withhold information about his health.

"We must all equally understand that, realistically, a full recovery will take a long time, like it or not," he said.

"At this time I am in no hurry and no-one should be in a hurry. The country is going well and advances," he said.

- REUTERS