Cuban leader Fidel Castro, in New Year greetings delivered to his countrymen on Saturday, congratulated Cubans on the 48th annversary of the Cuban revolution.

The Cuban people had made encouraging achievements in the sphere of ideology and energy revolution and in carrying out the country's social and economic development programs in the outgoing year, Castro said in a message.

Nothing can stop the Cuban people from making further development, he said.

On his health, Castro, who had intestinal surgery in July, said his recovery could be a prolonged process, but it "is far from being a lost battle."

"I collaborate as a disciplined patient, attended by the consecrated team of our doctors," he said.

He said he had not stopped following main events and information. He has also had exchanges with his close comrades "when cooperation has been necessary on vitally important issues," Castro said.

Source: Xinhua