Former Cuban president Fidel Castro has appeared at a special session of parliament for the first time since 2006, when he ceded power to his younger brother, Raul.

Cheering legislators gave the elder Castro a standing ovation as he entered the legislative chamber in an event broadcast on Cuban television Saturday. The 83-year-old former president was wearing an olive-green military style shirt and waved to the crowd.

Mr. Castro spoke about the international situation and how growing tensions between the United States and Iran could lead to nuclear war.

Mr. Castro turns 84 later this month, and has recently increased his public appearances following a long period of seclusion, resulting from an illness suffered in 2006.

Fidel Castro underwent intestinal surgery that year and turned over power on a provisional basis to his brother, who formally assumed the presidency in February 2008.