Cuban President Raul Castro toured areas of the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, where forces from different entities have joined the efforts to improve the population''s quality of life, national television reported on Friday.

Acclaimed by the people, he visited Jose Marti district, where 349 buildings have been restored and stretches of water pipelines have been replaced to improve water supply.

A friend of yours has sent you regards, he told residents of Santiago de Cuba, in reference to the close links between the Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro and the inhabitants of that eastern province.

Raul Castro also visited San Pedrito neighbourhood and Loma de Quintero, home of a water purification plant that is expected to supply water to the city.

May Santiago fighting spirit spread to the entire country. Santiago has never let the Revolution down, he stated.