Cuban leader Fidel Castro has said the worst of his recent illness is behind him and he will receive foreign dignitaries in private during a summit of the Non-aligned Movement of developing nations next week.
But the left-wing firebrand said in a statement published yesterday that a full recovery from the undisclosed illness that forced him to turn over power to his brother will take a long time.
Mr Castro (80), said he lost nearly 3 stone in a week after undergoing emergency surgery to stop intestinal bleeding caused by an unexpected health problem on July 26th.
"One can say that the most critical moment is behind us. Today I am recovering at a satisfactory pace," he said in a message to the Cuban people published by the ruling Communist Party newspaper Granmaon its Web site, with photographs of him reading.
A thinner Mr Castro appeared in pajamas and slippers in what looked like a hospital room in pictures on Granma's site. http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/secciones/siempre_con_fidel/art-062.html.
Mr Castro, in power since a 1959 revolution, stunned Cuba on July 31st when he ceded the presidency and leadership of the ruling Communist Party temporarily to his brother Raul Castro.
There were rumors that he had died until photographs and video images of him frail and bedridden were released on his birthday, August 13th.
Mr Castro said he will receive foreign dignitaries in the coming days, but said images would not readily be available, indicating meetings would not be in public.
Cuba will host a summit of the Non-aligned Movement of 116 developing nations next week in Havana. Many nations from Africa, Asia and Latin America will be represented.