Cuban President Fidel Castro has spoken by telephone to a meeting of Cuban officials, according to the ruling Communist Party newspaper Granma.
Castro has not been seen in public since an undisclosed illness forced him to relinquish power to his brother in July.
The last glimpse Cubans had of him was a video clip released on 28 October that showed a frail and shuffling old man.
Castro listened to a summary of discussions at the meeting held yesterday and got a warm round of applause, the newspaper said, giving no further details.
Castro's illness has been a tightly guarded secret since he underwent emergency surgery for intestinal bleeding that forced him to turn over the reins of power to his brother Raul Castro on 31 July.
His absence from public appearances, including his delayed birthday celebrations and a military parade two weeks ago, has fuelled speculation that he is dying of cancer or is even dead.
US Intelligence chief John Negroponte said in an interview with The Washington Post published yesterday that Castro was near death and had 'months, not years' to live.
Castro's closest ally, Venezuelan President Hugo, yesterday said at a rally in Caracas that he does not have cancer, but is fighting a 'great battle' against a 'very serious' illness.
Chavez did not say Castro's health was improving, as he has repeated in recent speeches, but said he was optimistic about his recovery after speaking to the Cuban leader by telephone.
