HAVANA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Cuban leader Fidel Castro spent a lot of time mulling over world situations and always consulted over major policy making of the state, said Defense Minister Raul Castro on Monday.

    Castro, who is recovering from an intestinal operation in July 2006, undergoes considerable daily physical exercises, said Raul Castro, who is also the nation's acting leader.

    He made the remarks during a tour in the country's second largest city of Santiago de Cuba ahead of elections for national and provincial assemblies slated for Jan. 20, 2008.

    Castro was nominated by Santiago constituency as a candidate for the national assembly. Castro has asked Raul to visit the city to listen to voters on his behalf as his health at present does not permit him to do so, according to Raul Castro.