Havana  - Cuba is displaying what it said is a recent photo of Fidel Castro on the occasion of his 83rd birthday that shows a healthier-looking former president.

Castro appeared to be in better health than in images taken in the past three years since he stepped aside from the presidency because of illness.

The photograph is part of a Havana exhibit on Castro mounted for his birthday Thursday and was taken by Castro's son Alex, who is a professional photographer.

It shows the revolutionary with a cropped beard and wearing a baseball cap and jersey.

Castro has not been seen in public for three years since he had to undergo emergency intestinal surgery for an undisclosed ailment.

The previous photos to have been released of Castro were at the beginning of the year when he appeared gaunt while being photographed with visiting Argentine President Cristina Kirchner and Manuel Zelaya, who has since been ousted as Honduran president in a bloodless coup.

Although Castro no longer leads Cuba, which he ruled for 47 years after heading the 1959 Cuban Revolution, he continues to engage frequently in political debate through regular opinion pieces he writes for state media and often receives visiting foreign dignitaries.

"All the people of Cuba should consider themselves proud that their nation produced such a person," National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon said at the opening of the 83-photo exhibit on the life of Castro.

Large celebrations for Castro's birthday were not planned, but a book was released at the weekend that contains excerpts from what are considered Castro's most important discourses. (dpa)