A Spanish doctor treating Cuban President Fidel Castro said that not only is the ailing 80-year-old recovering well from surgery, he should be fit to govern his country again.

Dr. Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, who flew to Havana on Thursday to examine Castro in the first independent medical opinion since the president took ill five months ago, has refuted U.S. intelligence claims that Castro had cancer, instead saying his illness was probably due to an intestinal problem.

Castro has been recovering "slowly but progressively" from a serious operation, Dr. Garcia Sabrido told reporters.

The Spanish surgeon added that Castro will not need any further surgery, and when asked if Castro would be physically capable of once again governing Cuba, said, "If his recovery is absolute, then naturally, yes."

The doctor did not disclose the "benign illness" Castro is suffering from.

Castro has not made a public appearance since undergoing intestinal surgery in July, and Cuba has classified his ailment as a state secret. He transferred power to his brother, Raul, on July 31.

Garcia Sabrido, who is chief surgeon at Madrid's Gregorio Maranon Hospital, said Castro is keen to return to work but doctors have advised him to take it easy.

With files from the Canadian Press