Castro misses Cuba summit opening

Raul Castro has been taking on his brother's duties

The leaders of more than 50 developing countries have gathered in Cuba for a summit, but the host president, Fidel Castro, was a notable absentee.

Instead his younger brother Raul Castro opened the meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, denouncing what he called US plans for "imperial conquest".

Fidel Castro is still recovering from intestinal surgery, but has received a visit from UN chief Kofi Annan.

Others present include the Zimbabwean Venezuelan and Iranian leaders.

The summit brings together 118 nations - two-thirds of the world total - including many developing countries, for an alternative forum of debate.

Raul Castro accepted Cuba's three-year chairmanship of the movement adding, to applause: "Comrade Fidel has asked that I transmit to you his most cordial greetings."

If the United States invades Cuba, blood will run Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Profile: Non-Aligned Movement

There had been speculation that the elderly president might appear at the summit, although he has not been seen in public since having medical treatment more than a month ago.

But doctors recommended he continue to rest, Cuban officials said.

Brother Raul, the acting leader, accused the US of trying to effect regime change in Cuba and destroy its social system, and condemned US actions elsewhere.

"The risk of aggression and more wars of imperial conquest is more serious and more widespread than ever," he said.

He also expressed Cuba's support for Iran in its row with the West over its nuclear programme.

Anti-US feeling

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the summit amid the imminent threat of sanctions by the UN Security Council.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez pledged to defend Iran if it came under attack.

"Under any scenario, we are with you just like we are with Cuba," he said.

"If the United States invades Cuba, blood will run."

A frail looking Fidel Castro greeted Kofi Annan in hospital

The BBC's Stephen Gibbs, in Havana, says the huge cast list of dignitaries at the two-day summit includes some of Washington's least favourite world leaders.

As well as Mr Chavez and Mr Ahmadinejad, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko are in attendance.

Some of those hope that the Non-Aligned Movement can become a powerful alternative to what they see as US attempts at world dominance.

But others take a more moderate stand.

The Indian and Pakistani delegations are among several that would rather see the group concentrate on just being a voice for the developing and developed world.

There are a broad array of topics up for discussion, but high on the agenda are violence in the Middle East and nuclear proliferation.

The summit's final declaration will contain quite explicit criticism of American foreign policy, say correspondents.