Chavez declares himself 'largely recovered'

CARACAS: Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday he has "largely recovered" from a bout with cancer but would still undergo as many as two more rounds of chemotherapy.

"I have decided to continue living," he told his cabinet in a session carried on radio and television.

"I am being reborn, beginning a new life to continue serving the fatherland of (Simon) Bolivar," said Chavez, whose surprise operation in Cuba to remove a cancerous tumor last month sent shockwaves through Venezuela.

The flamboyant leftist has provided no details about his cancer type, but has sought to quash speculation it may curtail his 12-year hold on power here.

On Tuesday, he said he planned to run for another six-year term as president next year despite his battle with cancer.

Chavez underwent an initial round of chemotherapy in Cuba last week, and said tests found no more cancer cells.

"I have largely recovered," he told his ministers.

"Fortunately, of all the scenarios, it has been the best of the bad -- the best scenario for recovery," he said.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011