Castro says battle for recovery is far from lost

HAVANA: Cuba's ailing President Fidel Castro has appeared in a video footage that showed him telling Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that his recovery was 'far from being a lost battle.'

The 80-year-old revolutionary leader, who was shown on Tuesday standing, smiling and chatting with his Venezuelan friend and ally, looked far fitter than he did the last time such footage was broadcast three months ago.

The footage added new grist to speculation over Castro's fate and leadership over the communist-ruled island six months after he underwent intestinal surgery and handed over power 'provisionally' to his brother Raul.

"As I have said, this is far from being a lost battle," said Castro, who was clad in a track suit in the red, blue and white colours of the Cuban flag.

The two presidents concluded their meeting by saying together - "We will triumph. Fatherland, socialism or death."

Cuban television said Castro's meeting took place on Monday and that Chavez left Cuba on Tuesday.

It was the sixth time authorities released video footage of the ailing revolutionary leader since he underwent intestinal surgery on July 27.

Following the operation, Castro announced through a spokesman on July 31 that he 'provisionally' handed over authority to Raul Castro, who is Cuba's defence minister and longtime number two.

Castro, who has survived several assassination attempts in his 48 years in power, said in a statement after surgery that his condition had to remain a 'state secret.'