Chavez quashes health rumours

Supporters of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez hailed the release of new footage of the socialist leader talking with Fidel Castro as evidence he was recovering from surgery in Cuba despite speculation he may have cancer.

Rumours ran rife about his disappearance from public view since the operation on 10 June. But both governments have put out video and photographs of him walking and chatting with the former Cuban president. "He's fine, you see?" said Eva Golinger, an American-Venezuelan lawyer who is close to Mr Chavez.