HAVANA, Oct 29: Convalescing Cuban President Fidel Castro appeared on state television on Saturday speaking to Cubans as he browsed the day’s newspapers, his first public appearance in 40 days.

“Now, when our enemies have prematurely declared me moribund or dead, I’m happy to send to our compatriots and friends around the world this short film footage,” said Castro, 80.

The Cuban leader walked unassisted in the five-minute video.

Castro, in power since 1959, temporarily handed over the presidency to his brother Raul, 75, on July 31 as he recuperated from gastrointestinal surgery.

The footage showed Castro in a sports jacket as he paged through the Saturday copies of the government dailies Granma and Juventud Rebelde.

Castro seemed healthier than in previous photographs.

“This,” Castro says as he lifts the day’s newspapers, “is in case there were any doubts that this (was filmed either) 10 days ago or today,” he said.

He reminded viewers of his Aug 1 message, when he said that his recovery would be long “and not exempt of risks”.

Castro said that he follows the television news, and that he “participates in many of the most important decisions with the comrades of the (Communist) Party directive and the government.”

During his convalescence Castro has sent four written messages to the Cuban people, and appeared in two videos and in several still pictures.—AFP