Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro made a rare appearance at the meeting of the Communist Party of Cuba on Tuesday, voicing his support for Cuba's economic and social reforms.

In a surprise speech at the closing ceremony of the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, Fidel Castro backed the economic changes begun five years ago by his younger brother and the current leader Raul Castro.

"We will change what needs to be reformed in the country while maintaining our loyalty and unity just like our independence heroes Marti, Maceo and Gomez," the elder Castro told the delegates and guests present at the Convention Center of Havana, the capital of Cuba, for the closing ceremony of the four-day PCC Congress.