HAVANA, Cuba (AP) – Fidel Castro, looking gaunt and wearing pajamas in new photos released yesterday, says that his stitches are out and despite losing 18 kilogrammes (41 pounds) from intestinal surgery, the “most critical moment” of his health crisis has passed.

The 80-year-old also said in a statement he was ready to receive “distinguished visitors” – an apparent reference to the heads of state and government expected in Havana for next week’s summit of non-aligned nations. It was not clear, however, whether he would be well enough to actually host the event.

“Today I am recovering at a satisfactory rhythm,” Castro said in the statement published in the Communist Party daily Granma, which was accompanied by new photographs of him.

Castro said the last stitches from his surgery were recently removed, and “I can affirm that the most critical moment has been left behind”.

The statement was accompanied by seven different photographs of Castro during his convalescence, showing his bearded face looking gaunt and his arms and legs long and bony.

Castro towers more than 1.80 metres (6 feet) tall and in recent years has been very trim. But even before he fell ill, he looked extremely thin at his last public appearance when he gave a pair of speeches July 26 in eastern Cuba.

The Cuban leader announced he had undergone an emergency intestinal operation on July 31 and for the first time in 47 years of rule was temporarily ceding his powers as head of the government and the Communist Party to his 75-year-old brother Raul, the defence minister.

The nature of his surgery and his specific ailment have been treated as a state secret.

In all of the photographs published yesterday, Castro is sitting up and wearing short-sleeved pajamas – one set a light-blue colour, the other a dark navy. In several, he is reading or writing.

Most of the pictures show the leader from the waist up, although one shows his whole body as he sits in a rocking chair with slippers on his feet, reading what looks to be a newspaper.

In another, Castro holds up a broadsheet proof of the cover of a new book written from a series of interviews he gave to French journalist Ignacio Ramonet. Castro said he was reviewing the book during his recovery, but added, “I have not failed to strictly follow my duties as a disciplined patient”.

“In the coming days I will be receiving distinguished visitors,” he added, an apparent reference to the 14th summit of Non-aligned Movement nations held here September 11 to 16.

Cuba’s communist government has not announced whether Castro, or his younger brother Raul – currently acting president during Fidel’s recovery – will represent Cuba at the event.

He said news of his meetings with dignitaries will be released, but images would not necessarily be provided.

“All of us must understand that it is not convenient to systematically offer information, nor give out images of my health situation,” Castro added.

He also warned that his recovery could be lengthy.

“All of us must also understand realistically that the complete recovery time, whether we like it or not, will be prolonged,” he said. “At this moment I am not in a hurry, and no one should be in a hurry.

“The country is marching and moving ahead,” he added.