Chavez'

The first images of Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez since he underwent cancer surgery have been published by the government.

The 58-year-old is seen smiling as he lies in bed reading a newspaper, with his two daughters at his side, reports the BBC.

Chavez has not been seen in public since he went to Havana for the operation last year, on December 11.

It was his fourth surgery in an 18-month period for cancer first diagnosed in mid-2011.