Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro (L) gestures during meeting with his brother Cuban President Raul Castro and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (R) in Havana June 18, 2008 in this image taken from a video footage. This is the first public images of the bearded revolutionary since January. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro met with visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez late Tuesday, according to video footage on state television.

The images of Fidel Castro chatting in a garden with Chavez were shown in the footage, the first time the former Cuban leader has appeared in a TV broadcast since January.

The 81-year-old Castro looked thin but vigorous as he talks with Chavez and his younger brother Raul Castro, the current Cuban leader, in the video footage which did not include audio.

Cuba's official daily "Granma" said in a Tuesday report the talks between Chavez and Fidel lasted for three hours, during which they discussed major problems facing the world such as the food and financial crisis, as well as energy issues and bilateral issues.

Chavez said Fidel Castro, who fell ill in the summer of 2006, is "alive and kicking".

Chavez arrived in Cuba Monday afternoon on a working visit.

Fidel Castro has not been seen in public since he became ill two years ago. He resigned as president in February, relinquishing the post to his brother Raul.

The former leader was last seen in video and pictures when Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited Cuba on January16.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2008)