Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Saturday met with visiting General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nong Duc Manh, Cuban television reported.

The two met for two hours, discussing topics "of mutual interest and especially about Latin America and the Caribbean," said an official statement read on Saturday's evening news broadcast.

The 80-year-old Castro expressed his "admiration for the heroic people of Vietnam and progress in its economy, education and health," the report said.

Castro underwent an intestinal operation in July 2006 and later handed over power to Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro. He has not made any public appearances since then, and in March this year started issuing articles on major current world affairs.

Source: Xinhua