Fidel Castro warns of nuclear war

Revolutionary leader Fidel Castro has appeared on Cuban TV to warn the world that the West's confrontation with Iran and North Korea could erupt into nuclear war.

The 83-year-old claimed the conflict could break out if the USA, in alliance with Israel, tried to enforce sanctions again Iran for its recent nuclear activities.

Castro appeared relaxed and lucid in the hour and a half long TV interview - the first appearance since he was seriously ill four years ago.

As the interview progressed, Castro at times showed flashes of his prowess as a powerful speaker but also paused for lengthy periods and shuffled pages of notes in front of him.

He ceded power in 2006 and officially resigned two years later when his younger brother Raul was elected President by the National Assembly.

Fidel Castro remains the head of the Cuba's Communist Party.

His television appearance conicided with the release of 52 policitical prisoners, though this was one topic he did not mention.

The prisoners were jailed by Castro in 2003 during an opposition crackdown and are being released to Spain following a deal with the Catholic Church.

The two Castros have ruled Cuba since overthrowing dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.