Sharon undergoes brain scan

2006-01-07 12:07

Jerusalem - Ariel Sharon underwent yet another brain scan on Saturday but the Israeli prime minister remains in a deep coma at the Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem.

Hadassah hospital spokesperson, Ron Krumer, said the latest scan, which follows three bouts of brain surgery, had been planned in advance and did not indicate any worsening of his situation.

Medical sources said the scan took 25 minutes and Sharon, 77, has returned to the intensive care unit as the results are being assessed.

Israelis and world leaders have been bracing themselves for the end of the Sharon era, fearing his death could spark new turmoil in the region.

In preparation for the worst, United States secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has cancelled a trip to Asia and Australia.

The US is a close ally of Israel.

Sharon was declared "critical but stable" on Friday night, following three hours of surgery to stem new haemorrhaging in his brain. It was his third operation since being rushed to hospital on Wednesday.

Hospital director Shlomo Mor Yosef said blood clots remaining from the previous rounds of surgery had been drained.

Sharon remains in a medically induced coma to allow his body rest.

Doctors are warning Sharon may have suffered irreversible brain damage, leaving the future of Israeli politics hanging in the balance. His closest allies have acknowledged he is unlikely ever to return to office.

In the event of Sharon dying or being permanently incapacitated, the temporary appointment of Israel's deputy prime minister and finance minister Olmert as acting premier will have to be approved in a cabinet vote.

- AFP