Fidel Castro makes rare public appearance

HAVANA - A Cuban website published photographs over the weekend of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro making his first public appearance since he resigned as president in mid-2006.

The official Cubadebate website ran five photographs taken by Castro’s son, Alex, during a visit Wednesday to the National Scientific Research Centre.

The former president, 83, commemorated the 45th anniversary of the centre’s founding in sports attire and held animated conversations with the managers and workers, the website said.

“When the word got out that the commander-in-chief was here, the workers came together spontaneously to offer warm tribute, which Fidel returned with words of gratitude,” Cubadebate said.

Castro led the revolution that overthrew the Bautista dictatorship in 1959, and ruled over the island until 2006, when he stepped down because of his failing health. He was succeeded by his brother Raul, who is currently 79 years old.