Sharon to have more surgery, still in coma-hospital

JERUSALEM, April 3 (Reuters) Israel's Ariel Sharon, still comatose after a massive stroke, will undergo surgery tomorrow afternoon to close a hole doctors made in his head during previous operations, hospital officials said today.

The 78-year-old, still officially prime minister for the time being, was hospitalised in January after a brain haemorrhage and has since been in what doctors called a ''critical but stable condition''.

Since the stroke, Sharon has undergone several operations, including brain surgery to stop bleeding in his head and the removal of some of his intestine. He remains unconscious at Haddassah hospital in Jerusalem.

Doctors have speculated that in the coming weeks Sharon will be moved to a nursing home intended for long-term comatose patients requiring constant medical care.

Sharon was replaced by interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert whose Kadima party emerged as the largest party in last week's Israeli general election. Olmert is expected to succeed Sharon in the official capacity of prime minister in the coming weeks.

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