Havana: Cuba's vice president said on Sunday Fidel Castro would return to work in a few weeks after intestinal surgery that forced him to hand over power temporarily to his younger brother.
''Fidel's going to be around for another 80 years,'' Vice President Carlos Lage said. Castro turns 80 next Sunday.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Castro was out of bed and talking following his surgery as messages wishing the Cuban leader a quick recovery poured in from Latin America's leading leftists and Elian Gonzalez.
Lage, in Bolivia to attend the country's constitutional assembly, was asked by reporters when Castro would be back at work.
''In a few weeks, he will be recovered and he'll return to his duties,'' Lage said.
Lage had earlier denied reports Castro had stomach cancer and reiterated Sunday the Cuban leader was recovering well.
''The operation that he underwent was successful and he is recovering favorably,'' Lage said.
Cuban officials have provided no details and released no pictures of Castro since his surgery was announced last Monday - fueling speculation around the world about his condition. His brother Raul Castro, the defense minister, also has not been seen in public since the announcement.
''How are you, Fidel?'' Chavez said during his weekly TV and radio program, suggesting he believed the Cuban leader was watching. ''We have reliable information of your quick and notable recuperation.''
''FidelCastro, a hug for you, friend and comrade, and I know you are getting better,'' Chavez said.
Talking by phone with Bolivian President Evo Morales later during the program, Chavez said that Castro was bouncing back quickly.
''This morning I learned that he's very well, that he is already getting out of bed, he's talking more than he should - because he talks a lot, you know. He has sent us greetings,'' Chavez said.
Morales said he was glad to learn of Castro's recovery, and ''what's left is for him to be incorporated into the battle of his country'' again. Saying Castro was like an ''older brother,'' Morales added, ''We hope to see our friend Fidel soon.''
Chavez replied, ''More than an older brother, he is like the pope for all of us, the revolutionaries of this continent.'' Chavez said he will hold a special edition of his program, ''Hello President,'' next Sunday in honor of Castro's 80th birthday.
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