Cuba's vice-president and the leader of Venezuela provided optimistic assessments of Fidel Castro's health, saying the Cuban president was enjoying a quick recovery from intestinal surgery and could be expected back at work within a few weeks.

Castro himself has been out of sight since July 31, when his secretary went on state television to announce that the Cuban leader had undergone surgery and was temporarily ceding power to his younger brother, Defence Minister Raul Castro.

"In a few weeks he'll be recovered and he'll return to his duties," Vice-President Carlos Lage said on Sunday when asked by reporters when Castro would be back at work. Lage spoke in Bolivia, where he attended the Andean country's constitutional convention.

Castro's return would expose that a US policy of "lies" was behind speculation that the Cuban leader, who turns 80 this Sunday, would not recover from the operation, Lage said.

Lage had earlier shot down reports that Castro had stomach cancer and reiterated yesterday that the Cuban leader was recovering well.

"The operation that he underwent was successful and he is recovering favourably," Lage said. "Fidel's going to be around for another 80 years."

Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Castro was out of bed and talking following his surgery.

"How are you, Fidel?" Chavez said during his weekly TV and radio programme, suggesting he believed the Cuban leader was watching. "We have reliable information of your quick and notable recuperation."

"Fidel Castro, 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 programme, 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, a leftist elected in December as Bolivia's first Indian president, said he was glad to learn of Castro's recovery and that "what's left is for him to be incorporated into the battle of his country" again. Morales said Castro was like an "older brother."

Before Castro fell ill, Morales had promised to travel to Havana for Castro's birthday and bring him a cake made from the flour of coca leaves. The Bolivian leader said his government would send a high-level mission to Havana in the coming days, according to his spokesman Alex Contreras.

Former Nicaraguan President and Sandinista revolution leader Daniel Ortega arrived in Havana from Nicaragua late Saturday. "I am sure that we will soon have Fidel resuming his functions and leading his people," Ortega said.

Source: China Daily