Fidel Castro appears on state television

Castro seemed healthier than in previous photographs. The footage also showed him walking without assistance.

Convalescing Cuban President Fidel Castro appeared on state television on Saturday speaking to Cubans as he browsed the day's newspapers and walked unassisted.

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"Now, when our enemies have prematurely declared me moribund or dead, I'm happy to send to our compatriots and friends around the world this short film footage," said Castro.

Castro, 80, temporarily handed over the presidency to his brother Raul on July 31 as he recuperates from gastrointestinal surgery.

The footage showed Castro in a sports jacket as he paged through the Saturday copies of the government dailies Granma and Juventud Rebelde.

Castro seemed healthier than in previous photographs. The footage also showed him walking without assistance.