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| Ariel Sharon's 'life in danger' as condition deteriorates – doctor | Ariel Sharon's 'life in danger' as condition deteriorates – doctor |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma for eight years, was in critical condition on Thursday, clinging to life after a decline in the functioning of various bodily organs, his doctors said. | |
| Dr Zeev Rotstein, director of Tel Hashomer hospital, said Sharon's condition had deteriorated over the past two days and that a number of vital organs, including his kidneys, were suffering from "critical malfunction". | |
| "He is in critical condition and his life is definitely in danger," Rotstein told reporters. "The feeling of the doctors treating him and also that of the family with him is that there is a turn for the worse." | |
| He said Sharon's family is at his bedside. | He said Sharon's family is at his bedside. |
| Sharon, 85, suffered a devastating stroke on 4 January 2006, five years after being elected prime minister. He spent months in hospital in Jerusalem before being transferred to a long-term care facility at Sheba medical centre near Tel Aviv. | Sharon, 85, suffered a devastating stroke on 4 January 2006, five years after being elected prime minister. He spent months in hospital in Jerusalem before being transferred to a long-term care facility at Sheba medical centre near Tel Aviv. |
| Last January, doctors said the former prime minister had exhibited "robust activity" in his brain during tests. Scans showed Sharon responding to pictures of his family and recordings of his son's voice. However, doctors said the chances of him regaining consciousness were almost zero. | Last January, doctors said the former prime minister had exhibited "robust activity" in his brain during tests. Scans showed Sharon responding to pictures of his family and recordings of his son's voice. However, doctors said the chances of him regaining consciousness were almost zero. |
| Four months ago, Sharon underwent surgery to insert a new feeding tube, through which he receives fluids. | Four months ago, Sharon underwent surgery to insert a new feeding tube, through which he receives fluids. |
| A former military general, Sharon was a hardline rightwinger in political office. But in 2005 he ordered the unilateral withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip, a move many considered a dramatic change in his political strategy. Within weeks of his stroke, Hamas won Palestinian elections. | A former military general, Sharon was a hardline rightwinger in political office. But in 2005 he ordered the unilateral withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip, a move many considered a dramatic change in his political strategy. Within weeks of his stroke, Hamas won Palestinian elections. |
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