Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who underwent intestinal surgery this summer, is making progress in his recovery, his brother and Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro said on Saturday.

Raul made the comments while addressing the closing session of a three-day National Assembly meeting in the capital city.

The meeting reviewed Cuba's economic development in 2006 and debated the budget for 2007. Fidel Castro did not attend the meeting.

During the meeting, other Cuban officials also noted that Fidel would again be at the helm of the country but they did not specify when he would resume work.

Raul said earlier this week that Fidel was "irreplaceable" and only the Cuban Communist Party could fill the vacancy to be left by him in the future.

Fidel Castro had the intestinal operation on July 27 and four days later he handed over power temporarily to Raul. Fidel, 80,

has not made any public appearance since the surgery.

Source: Xinhua