Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro, 81, said in an article published Wednesday that he devotes his time to writing because he currently lacks the "physical ability" necessary to talk to Cubans directly.

"I do what I can: I write," Castro said, in an article under his name dated Monday.

"This constitutes a new experience for me: speaking is not the same as writing. Now that I have more time to keep myself informed and to reflect on what I see, I barely have enough time to write," the Cuban president added.

For health reasons, Castro "temporarily" gave up power to his brother Raul in late July 2006. He has not returned to power or been seen in public since, although he is a candidate to a seat in the Cuban National Assembly in Sunday's election.

That candidacy is key for a potential stay in power, since Council of State members are chosen among legislators and the Council of State's president is Cuba's head of state and head of government. Castro has held both positions since 1976.

On Tuesday, photographs of Castro with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were made public.

During a visit of less than 24 hours to the Caribbean island, Lula met with his long-time friend Castro for two-and-a-half hours.

The Brazilian president said after the meeting that he thought Castro was ready to again take on a "political role" in Cuba and the world.

Lula noted just before leaving Havana that Castro "is in impeccable health" and "incredibly lucid, as at the best times."

The Brazilian president noted that the conversation ranged "over all possible topics," and he joked about Castro's renowned verbosity.

"Don't think we split talking time (evenly). Fidel spoke for two hours, I spoke for half an hour," Lula said.

Photographs of the meeting showed a seated, relaxed Castro, dressed in sports clothing.