(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-25 07:22

HAVANA - Cuban leader Fidel Castro said he thought he was going to die in 2006 when he had to undergo many surgeries to stop an intestinal hemorrhage, according to an article published on Thursday.

Cuban leader Fidel Castro poses in this photo taken by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during their meeting in Havana January 15, 2008. [Agencies]

"I thought it was the end when I became seriously ill late July 26th and early July 27th," said Castro in the article about the recent visit of Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. Castro's text is dated on January 22 and published on January 24.

In the text headlined "Lula," Castro said that Da Silva told him, during their recent meeting, that he was impressed by his health.

The last time Castro, 81, appeared in public was on July 26 of 2006 and on July 27 he underwent the first of many surgeries due to hemorrhage.

Related readings:  Castro re-elected Cuban National Assembly deputy  Cuba's Castro says he takes to meditating, writing  Castro hints he may give up posts  Castro makes 1st appearance in 14 months

On July 31 of 2006, Castro delegated Cuba's leadership to his young brother Raul Castro, and Fidel Castro has been convalescing since then.

Fidel Castro told Da Silva that when he became ill he was revising the book "One hundred hours with Fidel," by Spanish- French journalist and writer Ignacio Ramonet.

"I was enslaved to the book that was about to be published without my revision and with some of the answers taken hastily. I was hardly sleeping throughout those days," said Fidel Castro.

Concerning on the Da Silva's January-15 visit to Havana, the capital of this Caribbean country, Castro said Da Silva decided "spontaneously to visit Cuba for the 2nd time as Brazilian President, although my health could not guarantee him a meeting with me."

Castro and Lula talked for over two and a half hours and at the end of the meeting Lula told the press that Castro "is in very good health, with a lucidity like in his best times."

Castro was reelected on Sunday as deputy to the new parliament, that on February 24 will define the State Council's composition, including whether it ratifies Fidel Castro's leadership or not.