HAVANA: Cuba`s former president Fidel Castro was seen this week at a scientific facility in his first known public appearance since December, according to images posted Saturday on a pro-government blog.

Castro, 83, and still the head of the Cuban Communist Party, appears in the images, reportedly Wednesday, in a blue and white track suit surrounded by workers at the National Center for Scientific Research.

"Today we had the honor of Fidel paying a surprise visit to the center... He is thin but looks well and our boss said mentally he was doing very well," an unnamed blogger reported, saying the images were shot with a cell phone.

Fidel Castro led Cuba for almost five decades before a health crisis led him to step aside as president in 2006. He continues to write political columns for state media.

His brother, President Raul Castro, 78, took Cuba`s helm permanently in 2008.

BDST:0925 HRS , July 11, 2010