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Sharon leaves intensive care unit Sharon leaves intensive care unit
(30 minutes later)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been moved out of intensive care after being treated for an infection affecting his heart.Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been moved out of intensive care after being treated for an infection affecting his heart.
The medical centre near Tel Aviv, where he has been treated since May, said Mr Sharon returned to the respiratory ward after treatment for the infection.The medical centre near Tel Aviv, where he has been treated since May, said Mr Sharon returned to the respiratory ward after treatment for the infection.
Mr Sharon, 78, has remained in a coma since suffering a major stroke in January and undergoing brain surgery.Mr Sharon, 78, has remained in a coma since suffering a major stroke in January and undergoing brain surgery.
He was succeeded as PM by Ehud Olmert, who narrowly won elections in March.He was succeeded as PM by Ehud Olmert, who narrowly won elections in March.
His condition has fluctuated throughout the year.His condition has fluctuated throughout the year.
For several months Mr Sharon was treated by the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where he was taken for emergency treatment in January.For several months Mr Sharon was treated by the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where he was taken for emergency treatment in January.
After several operations on his brain, he was moved from Hadassah hospital in May to a specialist centre for long-term care.After several operations on his brain, he was moved from Hadassah hospital in May to a specialist centre for long-term care.
He subsequently developed pneumonia, and has also undergone kidney dialysis.He subsequently developed pneumonia, and has also undergone kidney dialysis.
Lengthy careerLengthy career
Mr Sharon was first elected to the Knesset in 1973 and held a number of cabinet positions before he became prime minister in 2001.Mr Sharon was first elected to the Knesset in 1973 and held a number of cabinet positions before he became prime minister in 2001.
POLITICAL CAREER 1973: Elected Knesset member for Likud1975-77: Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's special security adviser1977-81: Minister of Agriculture1981-83: Minister of Defence1984-90: Minister of Trade and Industry1990-92: Minister of Construction and Housing1996-98: Minister of National Infrastructure1998-99: Foreign Minister2001-2006: Prime Minister2005: Left Likud to found Kadima Profile: Ariel SharonPOLITICAL CAREER 1973: Elected Knesset member for Likud1975-77: Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's special security adviser1977-81: Minister of Agriculture1981-83: Minister of Defence1984-90: Minister of Trade and Industry1990-92: Minister of Construction and Housing1996-98: Minister of National Infrastructure1998-99: Foreign Minister2001-2006: Prime Minister2005: Left Likud to found Kadima Profile: Ariel Sharon
A former army commander, as defence minister he masterminded Israel's disastrous invasion of Lebanon in 1982.A former army commander, as defence minister he masterminded Israel's disastrous invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
He served as housing minister in the early 1990s, expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but as prime minister he forced through the 2005 withdrawal of settlers and soldiers from the Gaza Strip. He served as housing minister in the early 1990s, expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
But while prime minister, he went on to push through Israel's 2005 withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank, despite opposition from within his right-wing Likud party.But while prime minister, he went on to push through Israel's 2005 withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank, despite opposition from within his right-wing Likud party.
He also presided over the building of the controversial West Bank barrier.He also presided over the building of the controversial West Bank barrier.
Amid growing dissent, Mr Sharon left Likud in November last year to found a new party, Kadima (Forward), which scored a narrow win in the March parliamentary election under Mr Olmert.Amid growing dissent, Mr Sharon left Likud in November last year to found a new party, Kadima (Forward), which scored a narrow win in the March parliamentary election under Mr Olmert.