Cuba's state newspaper has published new photographs of ailing leader Fidel Castro, which show him greeting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

The communist daily Granma said the two leaders met in Havana on Sunday, to mark Mr. Castro's 80th birthday.

In this photo released by Cuba's Communist daily newspaper Granma, Cuba's leader Fidel Castro, right, shakes hands with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in Havana, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006

The photographs show the Cuban leader laying in bed, shaking hands with Mr. Chavez and receiving a portrait of Mr. Castro as a gift.

Mr. Castro has not been seen in public since he underwent surgery more than two weeks ago to stop intestinal bleeding.

Sunday, a communist youth newspaper Juventud Rebelde published a message from Mr. Castro, saying he will fight for his life.

He urged Cubans to be optimistic about his health, but warned of possible "adverse news."

Mr. Castro temporarily handed power to his brother, Raul, because of the surgery last month.