Children cheer after singing 'Happy Birthday' to Cuba's leader Fidel Castro while standing around a birthday cake at the Pioneer's Palace in Havana August 13, 2007.[Photo: Retuers]

Cuban leader Fidel Castro turned 81 on Monday with congratulatory messages pouring in from many nations. He did not appear for official celebrations.

In late July last year, he handed power to Raul Castro, his younger brother and the nation's defense minister, in order to undergo surgery for intestinal bleeding. He has not been seen in public since then, but writes regularly in the nation's newspapers on current affairs.
　
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, in his message, said that year after year Castro has strengthened political dialogue and friendship between the two nations.

An organization called the Latin American and Caribbean Voluntary Work Brigade congratulated Castro, saying he has been "a vivid example of the most noble of causes: the fight against injustice." The message was signed in the name of 250 brigade members across 11 nations.
　
From Buenos Aires, the First Ernesto Che Guevara Museum and Cuban Solidarity School sent a message of congratulations expressing immense happiness at having Castro as their "angel of tutelage."
　
In Bolivia, leading newspapers published messages of congratulations praising Castro for surviving attacks by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
　
Dominica's El Mundo newspaper praised him as a symbol of "dignity in the Americas" and wished him a full return to health.
　
Spanish press also reported Castro's birthday, detailing the failed CIA attacks on him and saying that an atmosphere of calm continued to reign in Cuba more than a year after its leader handed power on a temporary basis to his younger brother.
　
Cuban press cheered Castro's birthday, describing him as an "indefatigable gladiator." Cuba will honor him by showing documentaries on his life on state television, the press reported.

Ramon Labanino, one of the five Cubans jailed in the United States for alleged spying, said in his message that he was "deeply proud of having a commander from the race of titans." He wished Castro "all possible health and vitality and many more birthdays."