They met on the second day of Carter's three-day private visit to Cuba after he said he hoped to help smooth over difficulties between the two longtime ideological enemies.

Carter, 86, is on his second diplomatic trip to Cuba following a groundbreaking 2002 visit.

The Cuban television report said Carter and Castro spoke about the "international situation, the situation in Cuba and the United States and relations between the two nations."

It said Castro "reiterated Cuba's disposition to dialogue with the North American government over any topic, but on equal terms, without conditions and with absolute respect for our independence and sovereignty."

Castro, who succeeded his older brother, Fidel, as president three years ago, has made the same offer at various times, but Washington has not taken him up on it.

Carter's visit has drawn interest because no other US president, former or sitting, has come to Cuba since the revolution, even though the two countries are neighbors separated by just 90 miles of water.