In his most revealing comments yet on his health crisis nearly four years ago, Cuban leader, Mr Fidel Castro, has said that he "came to be dead", but then resurrected. "I came to be dead. I did not know how long that torment would last and the only thing I hoped for was for the world to stop," 84-year-old Castro said in an interview with Mexico's 'La Jornada' newspaper. In mid-2006 Castro, who ruled Cuba for nearly half a century, delegated his duties as President of the Communist island to his brother Raul while he recovered from a surgery he underwent due to diverticulosis, an intestinal illness. "Several times I asked myself if (doctors) were going to let me live in those conditions or if they'd let me die. I survived, but in very poor physical conditions," the 'Miami Herald' quoted him as telling the Mexican newspaper. He added: "But I revived. I left the hospital, went home, but I walked. I exceeded myself. Later I had to do rehabilitation for my feet. By that time I was managing to start to write again. Today, I'm up to 85 and 86 kilos." These days he follows doctors' orders strictly, Castro said. "I never commit the least violation. Of course, I have become a physician with the help of the doctors. I discuss with them, I ask questions, I learn." Asked about the two dozen public appearances he has made since July 7, after nearly four years out of the official spotlight, Mr Castro, who formally resigned from office in 2008, said, "I still have things to do." He added: "I don't want to be absent these days. The world is in the most interesting and dangerous phase of its existence and I'm committed with everything that will happen." The Mexican daily has described Mr Castro as energetic and in good humour.