Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Saturday addressed parliament for the first time since his illness four years ago, dpa reported.
The special sitting of the National Assembly, which meets twice a year, is being held at Castro's request.
Castro was met with enthusiastic applause when he entered the building, accompanied by his brother and successor Raul. The 610 deputies stood and clapped for several minutes.
The parliament is scheduled to discuss the threat of nuclear war in the Middle East, which in Castro's opinion could be caused by the United States. Other international issues are also on the agenda.
After he fell ill, Fidel Castro handed over governmental duties to his brother in the summer of 2006, but he remains first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba.
Castro has increasingly made regular public appearances in recent weeks and given his opinions on various international questions.