Sharon condition unchanged

2006-01-14 11:42

Jerusalem - Ariel Sharon is still receiving a small amount of sedatives and remains comatose in critical but stable condition, a hospital official said Saturday, 10 days after the Israeli leader suffered a massive stroke.

Doctors on Wednesday began reducing the level of sedatives with the intent of drawing Sharon out of an induced coma. He has responded to pain stimulus in his right leg and both arms but has not shown any signs of waking up, doctors said.

Outside medical experts say his failure to regain consciousness does not bode well for his recovery. But hospital officials say it's too early to make conclusions about Sharon's prospects. There has been no improvement in Sharon's condition in recent days.

- AP