A man prepares 'caldosa', a soup made with a variety of tubers and meats, on a street in Havana, Cuba, on December 31 in anticipation of New Year celebrations. - Reuters

HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters):

In a New Year's message, ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro said on Saturday he was recovering slowly from abdominal surgery and thanked his people for their courage during his recuperation.

"Concerning my recovery, I always said it would be a long process, but it's far from being a lost battle," said Castro's message, which was read out on state-run radio stations.

"I have not stopped being informed of the most important information and events. I discuss them with my closest comrades when cooperation on vital matters is called for."