Former President Fidel Castro addressed Cuba's parliament in his first public government act in four years on Saturday, and appealed to world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, to avoid a nuclear war. The return of the veteran 83-year-old Cuban revolutionary to the National Assembly, transmitted live by Cuban state television, crowned a spate of recent public appearances after a long period of seclusion due to illness.
It was his first participation in a public government meeting since 2006, when intestinal surgery forced a lengthy absence. It was bound to revive speculation he might be seeking a more active role again in communist-ruled Cuba's leadership.
In 2008, he formally handed over the presidency of the Caribbean country to his younger brother Raul Castro. The bearded leader of Cuba's revolution, who retains his parliament seat and the post of First Secretary of the Communist Party, dressed in long-sleeved green military fatigues, but without rank insignias, for the session.
After being helped to walk in and being greeted by a standing ovation and shouts of "Viva Fidel," he used the meeting to expound again his recent warnings that US pressure against Iran could push the world to a nuclear conflagration. In a 12-minute prepared speech delivered in a firm but sometimes halting voice, he urged world leaders to persuade Obama not to unleash a nuclear strike against Iran.
Castro said such an attack could occur if Iran resisted US and Israeli efforts to enforce international sanctions against it for its nuclear activities. "Obama wouldn't give the order if we persuade him ... we're making a contribution to this positive effort," he told the special assembly session, which had been requested by him.
He said he was sure that China and "the Soviets" - an apparent reference to Russia, the former Soviet Union - did not want a world nuclear war and would work to avoid it. Castro also referred to the case of one of five convicted Cuban spies jailed in the United States.