Special Report:

World Media Coverage on Ariel Sharon

TODAY’S ISSUE

Reports from Jerusalem indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in critical condition.  Unconfirmed reports continue to fly around the internet claiming that the Prime Minister has already died.

What we know at this point is the following:

1.       Ariel Sharon suffered a severe stroke, which was later determined to be a cerebral hemorrhage affecting his brain stem.

2.       The chances are almost nonexistent that Sharon will recover to the point of returning to a leadership role a Prime Minister.  Brain damage has almost certainly occurred.

3.       Sharon, if still alive, is almost certainly in very grave condition, and has only a small chance of surviving at all.

We will continue to update as we receive news and reports from around the world.

Special Edition
January 5, 2006

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS: PRIME MINISTER SHARON IS BRAIN DEAD Source: Israel Insider.com

Reliable sources indicate to Israel Insider that PM Ariel Sharon died at 11 am. Israeli media channels still report his condition is "very grave." Director of Hadassah Hospital Shlomo Mor-Yosef officially denies "rumors" of death and says Sharon's condition is "serious but stable."

Channel 10 reports those closest to Sharon as saying he has suffered "brain damage." A likely explanation to reconcile the two reports is that Sharon has suffered brain death -- the lack of cerebral activity -- but that his heart continues beating, while he remains anesthetized and respirated.

Mor-Yosef, briefing journalists at the hospital's gate, said that "the prime minister is suffering from low intracranial pressure, and is heavily sedated. He will be respirated for at least the next 24 hours. All the parameters that we can check are as expected, following an operation of this type."

He said he came out to counter rumors of Sharon's death. "I came out to update you and to refute the rumors flooding the country," he said, referring to rumors claiming that Sharon had already died, and that the news is being delayed for one reason or another.

"Sharon is still alive," a Sharon aide in the intensive care unit told Ynet. But Channel Ten quotes "someone very close" to the PM as saying that he had suffered "brain damage" -- to what extent was not indicated -- unconnected with the effects of the operation.

Mor-Yosef called on journalists to "cooperate in a responsible manner with the transfer of information on the prime minister's condition," adding: "As Hadassah's director, I am obligated to bring every change in the prime minister's condition to light through hospital statements."

Mor-Yosef was not reporting any untruths, but neither was he addressing the critical issue of brain function, a subject which has been studiously avoided by all hospital officials.

One of the factors in the cloud of uncertainty regarding the announcement of brain death, media sources speculated, relates to the effect of the announcement on stock markets.

Another reason was a supposed regulation preventing publication of the PM's death except by the official representative of the government, presumably the Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon.

Perhaps the most important reason for the delay is to allow time for the preparation of a state funeral and the invitation to world leaders to attend. According to the expected schedule, Channel 10's Emmanuel Rosen reported,Sharon will be detached from one or more of his life support machines in the next day or two, with the likelihood that he will not be able to survive without support. At that point, Rosen, "the most difficult" decision would need to be made.

According to Channel 10, the official death announcement is planned for Sunday, when world markets are closed, assuming that this will suffice to accommodate the travel plans of A-list world and Jewish leaders.

Chances 'Almost Nil' Sharon To Emerge Undamaged, Likud Ministers Delay Quitting  Source: Voice of Israel Network B

Chances 'Almost Nil' Sharon To Emerge Undamaged, Likud Ministers Delay Quitting
Voice of Israel Network B

Medical sources at Hadassah-En Kerem Hospital estimate that the chances that Prime Minister Ari'el Sharon will come out of the current stroke without any real damage are almost nil. The medical teams believe that the anticoagulants administered to Sharon in the last three weeks hastened the stroke, our correspondent Gay Qotev reports.

The cabinet is currently meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, chaired by Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. All the ministers are present, including the Likud ministers, who announced last night that they won't resign. Political sources in Jerusalem told our political correspondent Shmu'el Tal that the cabinet meeting was meant, among other things, to underscore the continuity of government and to emphasize that there has been no change in policy or political shocks.

Aides of Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu said that at this point it was decided to put off the resignation of the Likud ministers from the government. Netanyahu said that at such moments the entire Likud, along with Israel's citizens, are praying for the prime minister's well-being, our correspondent Yo'av Krakowsky reports.

(Description of Source: Jerusalem Voice of Israel Network B in Hebrew -- State-funded radio; independent in content)

Israel: No Change in Sharon Condition, New PM Only After Full Medical Evaluation Source: Voice of Israel Network B

Israel: No Change in Sharon Condition, New PM Only After Full Medical Evaluation
Voice of Israel Network B

Ron Krummer, a Hadassah-En Kerem Hospital spokesman, said there are no news regarding Prime Minister Ari'el Sharon's condition and that no updates will be issued in the coming hours.

Attorney General Menahem Mazuz told the cabinet that Sharon's condition is defined in legal terms as temporary incapacitation and that a decision on whether it is necessary to appoint a new prime minister will only be made after a full medical evaluation has been conducted. He said that the dissolution of the Knesset and the early elections remain in force, and that Sharon's condition has no impact on the processes related to the elections. This is reported by our legal affairs correspondent Amotz Shapira.

Meeting for the first time with Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu in his capacity as acting prime minister, Olmert conveyed his appreciation over Netanyahu's decision to put off the resignation of the Likud ministers from the government. Netanyahu said that all that can be done at the moment is to pray for the prime minister's well-being and hope that he'll manage to pull through the serious surgery he underwent.

(Description of Source: Jerusalem Voice of Israel Network B in Hebrew -- State-funded radio; independent in content)

Israeli Media Carry Special Programming; No Reports of Sharon's Demise  Israel -- OSC Report

Israeli Media Carry Special Programming; No Reports of Sharon's Demise
Israel -- OSC Report

Since the first reports of the deterioration in Prime Minister Ari'el Sharon's health at approximately 2040 GMT on 4 January, Jerusalem Voice of Israel Network B and Jerusalem Israel Television Channel 1 and Channel 2 Television in Hebrew have been carrying nonstop special broadcasts with updates on the condition of the prime minister as well as interviews with and commentary by leading political officials and media commentators.

As of 1020 GMT on 5 January, Israeli media monitored by Open Source Center/Tel Aviv have not been observed to report on the demise of Prime Minister Sharon as reported by Al-Arabiyah in referent item.

On its 1000 GMT newscast, Network B cited Hadassah-En Kerem Hospital spokesman Ron Krummer as saying that there is "no news regarding Prime Minister Ari'el Sharon's condition and that no updates will be issued in the coming hours."

Russian MP Fears Upswing In Terrorism As Sharon Taken To Hospital After Stroke:  Source: Interfax

Russian MP Fears Upswing In Terrorism As Sharon Taken To Hospital After Stroke
Interfax

RUSSIA-STATE-DUMA-ISRAEL-OPINION

RUSSIA-STATE-DUMA-ISRAEL-OPINION Russian MP fears upswing in terrorism as Sharon taken to hospital after stroke

MOSCOW. Jan 5 (Interfax) - State Duma international affairs committee chief Konstantin Kosachyov said that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's temporary inability to perform his professional duties due to major health problems may prompt terrorists in the Palestinian Territories to step up their activities.

"My opinion is that the most radically-minded Palestinians may take advantage of Sharon's condition to try to destabilize the situation in the Middle East by staging terrorist attacks. Their actions will be aimed at pressuring Israel to make more concessions in the Middle East process," Kosachyov told Interfax on Thursday.

"Sharon is the Middle East's No. 1 figure not only from the point of view of his position, but also from the point of view of his ability to influence political processes," the deputy said.

A staunch supporter of radical views, which did not rule out the use of military force, at the start of his political career, Sharon has evolved into a moderate politician ready for concessions and compromises, he said.

Sharon's single-handed decision on the withdrawal of Israeli settlements from the Gaza Strip led to a split in the Likud Party he led at that time, Kosachyov said, adding that it prompted the Israeli prime minister to quit Likud and set up a new political party. However, this party could gain a high popularity rating ahead of the 28 March parliamentary elections "only if Sharon personally participated in the election campaign," the deputy said.

"However, given Sharon's health problems, the elections' outcome is absolutely unpredictably. But it will largely depend on the Palestinian side's conduct," Kosachyov said. tm 1444 050106 MSK

(Description of Source: Moscow Interfax in English -- Nonofficial information agency known for its extensive and detailed reporting on domestic and international issues)

Israeli Press Views Prospects of Qadima Without Sharon, Impact on Elections Israel -- OSC Report

Israeli Press Views Prospects of Qadima Without Sharon, Impact on Elections Israel -- OSC Report

In his Ha'aretz commentary entitled "The End of an Era," Aluf Ben writes: "One can cautiously say that it appears that the era in which Sharon stood at Israel's helm came to a tragic end on Wednesday." Ben continues: "The collapse of Sharon's health leaves Israel in a strange situation: Vice Premier Ehud Olmert is heading a transitional government on the eve of elections. The ruling party, Kadima, has no institutions or organizational structure, and it is not clear how a replacement for Sharon will be chosen. The race for prime minister, which until Wednesday looked like Sharon's one-man show, is now open.

"In any event, Israel is expecting a generation shift in its upper echelons, after five years of stability of the Sharon leadership. This was stability that the Israeli public liked, and, according to the polls, wanted to maintain. Sharon was hospitalized at a time when his standing at home and abroad was at a peak, following the successful implementation of the disengagement plan. World leaders, who had kept their distance in the past, were convinced that he was the only one who could move ahead with the diplomatic process or another withdrawal in the territories. A change in leadership will turn Israeli politics into a giant riddle, and undoubtedly spark concern and consideration around the world."

He also notes that "Sharon's illness broke the code of silence surrounding the health of Israel's leaders, and forced the leadership to begin the process of crystallizing the transfer of powers of the prime minister should he be 'prevented' from carrying out his duties. But there are a significant number of disturbing questions. What if Sharon's condition after the previous stroke had been more serious than the doctors had presented? What if they tried to conceal the risk of another stroke? These questions will cause much professional and media debate in the coming days. They are likely to raise the question of who is in charge of strategic defense, and decides on military action in emergency situations such as these, and if the public is worthy of receiving the appropriate answers." (Tel Aviv Ha'aretz (Internet Version-WWW) in English -- Left-of-center, independent daily of record)

On pages 1 and 7 of Yedi'ot Aharonot, Nahum Barne'a writes in his commentary entitled "A Dark Shadow": "The Qadima Party which was officially registered yesterday was born as a party focused around one man. Sharon was both the party and its message. Yesterday's shadow that was cast over Sharon's candidacy completely redesigns Qadima's electoral prospects. Even if Sharon continues to function, he will be forced to convince the voters that his party is capable of leading the country without him. Sharon's deputy Ehud Olmert is a worthy candidate. Among Qadima's leaders are other well-known figures with parliamentary and public-service experience, such as Tzipi Livni, Shim'on Peres, Me'ir Shitrit, Sha'ul Mofaz, Avi Dichter, and others. From today, the voters will view them somewhat differently.

"The gravity of Sharon's condition has completely changed the entire political scene. For example, it puts the resignation of the Likud ministers on hold. It also moderates the overall tone of the election campaign. Sharon's rivals have shifted from insults and abuse to prayer, and the excitement about whether Sharon did or did not receive money from Austrian casino mogul Martin Schlaff has dropped off the radar screen." (Tel Aviv Yedi'ot Aharonot in Hebrew -- Independent, centrist, largest circulation Hebrew-language daily)

In his Ma'ariv commentary on pages 1 and 5 entitled "Fading Hope," Nadav Eyal writes: "Israelis view Sharon as a rock amid a sea of security, diplomatic, and political instability. During the past decades, no other leader has gained the public trust and affection quite like he did. It is unlikely that anyone, in the foreseeable future will be able to provide the same sense of strength and invulnerability."

Nadav continues: "Yesterday, ministers reacted with shock on hearing the Cabinet secretariat's announcement of the transfer of Sharon's powers. Like everyone else, they also realize that as of yesterday evening Ehud Olmert is acting prime minister. All the politicians agreed on one thing yesterday: Initially, they will gather round the new captain. Even those who claim the situation is only temporary will have to accept Olmert's leadership for the immediate future and, with all due respect to the election campaign, it will just have to wait a day or two.

"However, the elections will very soon retake center stage. Three big parties are contending for the leadership of the country, and none of them will remain unchanged by yesterday evening's events nor will they win the same number of seats. Qadima will have to try to win without Sharon at the helm, at least for the immediate future, because Sharon is Qadima and Qadima is Sharon. The delicate threads holding Qadima together will begin to unravel, especially if a battle for succession develops." (Tel Aviv Ma'ariv in Hebrew -- Independent, second largest circulation Hebrew-language daily)

Gaza TV: Sharon Goes into Coma

Gaza TV: Sharon Goes into Coma
Palestine Satellite Channel Television

Gaza Palestine Satellite Channel Television in Arabic at 1232 GMT on 5 January carries the following "breaking news" as a screen caption:

"Sharon goes into a coma."

Further as warranted.

 (Description of Source: Gaza Palestine Satellite Channel Television in Arabic -- Official television station of the Palestinian Authority)

Pan-Arab TV Channels' Reporting on Sharon 5 Jan

Pan-Arab TV Channels' Reporting on Sharon 5 Jan

The lead and dominant story on Al-Jazirah and Al-Arabiyah this morning is Sharon's health condition hours after the surgery he underwent last night. Al-Jazirah and Al-Arabiyah carry extensive reports on Sharon's health condition and are observed to interview their correspondents in Jerusalem to provide latest updates on his condition and the statements by Hadassah Hospital to which he was admitted. Both televisions are also observed to carry detailed reports on Sharon's history as a military commander, politician, and leader. Al-Arabiyah and Al-Jazirah also carried interviews with analysts and correspondents on the political implications of Sharon's a possible disappearance from the political scene in Israel shortly before the Israeli general elections and weeks after the formation of his new party Kadima and the future of that party. Al-Jazirah carries reactions to Sharon's health condition, including a brief statement by HAMAS Spokesman in Gaza Mushir al-Masri in which he says that "the Middle East will be in a better shape without Sharon." The reactions include statements by President George Bush and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Program Summary: Tehran Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1

1. (1051) Israel: Ariel Sharon has suffered a major stroke and is unlikely to

2. (1101) Commentary on the possible death of Sharon says his death will create more chaos within the Israeli political structure and bring crisis to the country. Mr Royavaran, political analyst, says the coming elections will determine the future behaviour and attitude of the Israeli regime towards Palestinians.

Egyptian Media Focus on Israeli Prime Minister's Health Condition 5 Jan

Egyptian Media Focus on Israeli Prime Minister's Health Condition 5 Jan

Reports about the health condition of Israeli Prime Minister Ari'el Sharon lead Egyptian radio and TVs news bulletins on 5 January. The reports are mostly factual. The coverage also include interviews with former Egyptian officials and Palestinian officials to give their expectations on the future of the Israeli political scene in the light of Sharon's health condition. Egyptian media have not reported any Egyptian official reaction so far.

Egyptian radio's main morning headline says "Israeli prime minister's heath condition deteriorates after he suffered brain hemorrhage".

Egyptian Nile News TV carries a live interview with former Egyptian ambassador to Israel, Muhammad Basyuni, to give his expectations for the political scene in Israel in the light of Sharon's health conditions. Basyuni expects that the poetical map in Israel will change. It also carries library footage showing Sharon at cabinet meetings and rallies.

Nile News TV also interviews in the studio a former Egyptian Foreign Ministry undersecretary to comment on the Israeli political scene in the light of Sharon's health condition. It also interviews a Palestinian political analyst who expects that "Sharon's health condition may reflect negatively on the relation between Israel and the Palestinians".

Nile News TV carries several breaking news screen captions, including one quoting an Israeli medical source as saying that Sharon's health condition is still critical, another source as saying that Sharon's health condition is extremely critical and a third one quoting Israeli transport minister as saying that Sharon is between life and death. It also highlights international reactions to Sharon's health condition, including those by the USA, the Palestinian National Authority and Japan.

Egyptian Channel 1 TV also carries several factual reports on the health condition. It also highlights Palestinian official reactions. It carries a live interview on the phone with Palestinian Foreign Ministry undersecretary, who warns that "Israeli leaders show more violence when such state of confusion happens". He calls on the international community "to pressure Israel to avert its internal political crisis leading to stepping up its aggression".

Channel 1 TV also carries factual reports on Sharon's political career and acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert. It also highlighted Olmert chairing an extraordinary cabinet meeting. It quotes Israeli Channel 2 TV's correspondent as saying that Sharon's situation has stabilized.

Israel: Knesset Speaker Against Postponing Elections, 'Uncertainty' in Qadima:  Source: Voice of Israel Radio Network B

Israel: Knesset Speaker Against Postponing Elections, 'Uncertainty' in Qadima
Voice of Israel Network B

Prime Minister Ari'el Sharon was taken back to the operating room at Hadassah-En Kerem Hospital after undergoing another CT scan in order to treat the massive hemorrhage in his brain and to ease the cerebral pressure. Prof Mor Yosef, the hospital director, said that the operation might yet take a number of hours. The prime minister's condition is described as serious and he is unconscious.

The prime minister's adviser Dov Weissglas and Cabinet Secretary Yisra'el Maimon briefed Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sharon's condition. The prime minister's powers were transferred to Olmert last night, immediately after Sharon's serious condition transpired. A cabinet meeting chaired by Olmert is scheduled to start at 0900 (0700 GMT).

MK Shim'on Peres was updated on the prime minister's condition through the night. He told our political correspondent Shmu'el Tal that all that's left to do is to pray for Sharon's well-being.

Knesset Speaker Re'uven Rivlin says that the elections should be held as scheduled and that there is no reason to put them off. Although the law enables the postponement of the elections if 80 MKs agree to it, Rivlin told our correspondent Beni Teitelboim that such a move is only justified in emergency situations, such as war, and that this is not the case now.

Opposition leader Amir Peretz spoke several times during the night with the cabinet secretary to inquire about the prime minister's condition. Peretz also phoned Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and placed himself at his disposal to help with whatever necessary, our party affairs correspondent Yo'av Krakowsky reports.

Shinuy leader Yosef Lapid says that the government must project stability. He promised that Shinuy would help uphold the normalcy and stability of government from the opposition benches. According to Lapid, Acting Prime Minister Olmert has been many years in the country's leadership and he can be relied upon.

SHAS Chairman Eli Yishay said that Rabbi Ovadya Yosef and his family are this morning praying for Sharon's well-being. According to Yishay, despite the prime minister's condition now is not the time to make political changes.

MK Ahmad al-Tibi wished the prime minister a speedy recovery. According to him, the Arab world, including the PA, has been closely following every bit of information from Hadassah-En Kerem Hospital. He added that upon hearing of Sharon's hospitalization, PA Chairman Mahmud Abbas phoned him to get details. MK Al-Tibi stressed that as far as the Arab world is concerned, Sharon's disappearance from the political arena will affect developments in the region, for better or for worse.

(Tel Aviv Ha'aretz (Internet version-WWW) in English -- left-of-center, independent daily of record reports at 0012 GMT: "Qadima members were thrown into a state of uncertainty Wednesday night for the second time in three weeks amid mounting concern for the prime minister. None of them would comment on the event. 'No doubt it's a significant event; we don't know what's happening with us in this situation. It's very worrying. We thought we were out of it,' a senior Qadima member said Wednesday night. Sharon had not yet decided on the order of the members on Qadima's Knesset list, and it is not yet clear who the No. 2 is.")

Source: Jerusalem Voice of Israel Network B in Hebrew -- State-funded radio

Some Israeli Right-Wing Groups Welcome Sharon's Stroke, Others Advise Prayer

Some Israeli Right-Wing Groups Welcome Sharon's Stroke, Others Advise Prayer
Israel -- OSC Report

Several Israeli right-wing groups reacted to the news of Prime Minister Ari'el Sharon's medical condition, defined as stable but critical, on the morning of 5 January. While some of the writers, all religious individuals, believe Sharon deserved the stroke, a few feel he should be prayed for.

Rabbi Avraham Shmulevich of Hebron, the leader of Za Rodinu, says in his website blog: "It is remarkable that Sharon got 'a massive stroke' a day after he dared raise a hand to Hebron (REFERENCE to government's 3 January decision to remove settlers from Hebron market). ((Internet) Za Rodinu WWW-Text in Russian --

Web site of radical religious group, led by Rabbi Avraham Shmulevich of Hebron, with the aim of rebuilding the Temple in an Israeli homeland stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates)

Remarkably, other blog writers do not share his sentiment. "Cheshire Pig" replies: "Rabbi, you should be ashamed of yourself. He is a Jew and one of those who established this country and fought for it. This is no time for gloating."

A reader identified as "Kimersensh" chimes in: "I agree!!!! Aren't you ashamed, Rabbi?" "Avigdor" wishes Sharon to live to be 120.

The editorial of right-wing Evrey group says that while it has been consistently critical of Sharon's actions over the "critical" past two years, they "spoke of the man's deeds only. Meanwhile, we must under no circumstances forget that he is a Jew, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." The editorial quotes the Talmud to the effect that "the Almighty seeks not a man's death, but rather his mending his ways and returning to the path of the Torah." "Therefore, there is but one conclusion: We must pray for the recovery of each and every person and sincerely wish that he analyze his actions and ideology and ponder his ways." (Jerusalem Evrey WWW-Text in Russian -- right-wing Russian-language website of the Jerusalem-based, international Aish Hatorah organization, dedicated to building Jewish identity and fighting assimilation)

The Voice of Judea editorial slams the religious leaders' prayers' for Sharon: "Listening to the news reports and commentary describing Sharon's critical condition and describing the outpour of sympathy and prayers for his recovery, one would think that Ariel Sharon was the most beloved Israeli leader ever. Who has not expressed concern and extended prayers for the Prime Minister? Anti-religious correspondents such as Yair Lapid have called for prayers to G-d. The Chief 'Rabbi' of the IDF went to the ancient synagogue in Jericho to pray.

"Lapid the non-believer calls fro prayers to the Almighty? and Weiss the 'Rabbi' who gave his seal of Kashrut on the 'disengagement' goes to Jericho, the city handed over to 'Palestinian' control by Sharon and his comrades to beg for mercy on behalf of Sharon? Could this be? He might as well have gone to Northern Shomron or Gush Katif to beg for mercy on the ruins of Sharon's destruction. Maybe he should have arranged a prayer vigil in the tent city of the Jewish refugees who were expelled by Sharon from their homes last summer? The prayers of 'Rabbi' Weiss from Jericho for Sharon -- now that's an oxymoron if one ever heard one." ((Internet) Voice of Judea E-mail-Text in English -- Followers of the extremist anti-Arab and fanatically religious teachings of the late Rabbi Me'ir Kahana)

Prof. Eldad: Sharon's Condition 'Desperate':  Source: Israel National News

Prof. Eldad: Sharon's Condition 'Desperate'

17:49 Jan 05, '06 / 5 Tevet 5766

(IsraelNN.com) MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union), a medical professor, estimated Thursday that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's condition is "desperate" and that he might remain severely paralyzed or be like a vegetable. MK Eldad formerly was a departmental head at Hadassah Hospital and was an Army medical officer.

He said one of the causes of the major stroke might have been his aides' encouragement that the Prime Minister to continue to progress in his work following the minor stroke he suffered December 18. Prof. Eldad added that Prime Minister Sharon's doctors allowed him to work as usual under heavy pressure, did not consider him to be ill and did not require him to remain close to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital where he was treated.

Source:  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=96131

Next Update on Sharon at 8 p.m.  Source:  Israel National News

Next Update on Sharon at 8 p.m.

18:09 Jan 05, '06 / 5 Tevet 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital officials stated that they will issue the next update on the condition of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at 8 p.m. (1 p.m. EST). There has been no change in his status and he continues to be sedated and connected to machines.

Media from the entire world have been hanging on every hint of something new, but every interview and analysis has not added anything. Hadassah Hospital officials asked the media not to speculate and promised to issue updates on every change in the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's condition, no matter how minor.

Source: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=96133

Source:  Al Jazeera Satellite TV

Ariel Sharon is to be kept sedated for at least 24 hours after surgeons stemmed bleeding from a massive brain haemorrhage.

The Israeli prime minister, who suffered a stroke on Wednesday, underwent six hours of surgery to stem bleeding in his brain. But a subsequent scan showed new bleeding in several areas so doctors then operated for another hour to control it.

Shlomo Mor-Yosef, director of Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem where Sharon was being treated, said: "The prime minister's condition is ... still critical but stable."

He said Sharon would remain in "deep sedation and on a respirator at least for the next 24 hours".

Sharon was taken to Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem for treatment late on Wednesday from his ranch in the Nev desert in southern Israel.

Shlomo Mor-Yosef, the head of the hospital, said: "The prime minister is sedated and on a respirator. One could say his condition is grave."

Media speculation

Speculation has begun in the local media about what Sharon's death or retirement from political life would mean for the prospect of peace with the Palestinians. Israel withdrew from Gaza in September after 38 years of occupation.

Opinion polls have predicted that Sharon, 77, would easily win a general election scheduled for 28 March. He was due to contest the election at the head of Kadima, his newly formed centrist party. He recently left Likud, where right-wingers had criticised the withdrawal from Gaza.

Israeli media have begun to speculate on politics after Sharon

Aluf Ben, Haaretz's diplomatic correspondent, wrote on the newspaper's website: "With all due caution, it appears as though the era of Sharon leading Israel has reached its tragic end."

Medical experts agreed the prime minister was unlikely to pull through the operation without his faculties being at least seriously impaired.

Israel's largest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, summed up Sharon's situation with the headline "The Final Battle".

Prime ministerial powers have been transferred temporarily to Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert.

George W Bush, the US president, said: "Prime minister Sharon is a man of courage and peace. On behalf of all Americans, we send our best wishes and hopes to the prime minister and his family."

After effects

Sharon had been due to undergo an operation on Thursday at Hadassah to repair a tiny hole in his heart thought to have caused the blood clot that led to a minor stroke on 18 December.

Ehud Olmert, the deputy prime minister, is in temporary charge

Doctors speculated on Israeli television that blood-thinning drugs administered over the past two weeks may have contributed to Wednesday's more severe stroke.

After several days in hospital last month Sharon quickly ploughed back into a punishing public schedule.

He has campaigned on a reconciliatory platform to give up more occupied land in the West Bank as a way to end decades of conflict, but has vowed to keep large settlement blocs.

Palestinians have long suspected that Sharon's plans for ending conflict meant that he would dictate terms that would leave them only fragments of the state they seek.

Peace threat

Nabil Shaath, the deputy Palestinian prime minister, said he did not believe that Sharon ever had any faith in the peace process, but his condition would increase uncertainty over getting back to negotiations.

Militant factions reacted with glee to the news.

The Islamist group Hamas said: "The whole region will be better off with him absent. Sharon was the one who carried out massacres and terrorism for decades against our people."

Source:  http://www.aljazeera.net

CONTACT

Email: laura@lauramansfield.com