Condition of Israel's Sharon deteriorates-doctors

JERUSALEM, July 23 (Reuters) The condition of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma since January, has deteriorated in the past two days, doctors caring for him said today.

Doctors at the Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv said Sharon, 78, who fell into a coma after a stroke on Jan 4, was suffering from an accumulation of fluids in his body and problems with the functioning of his kidneys.

''Over the past two days the doctors have identified a deterioration in the kidney function...and changes in brain tissue,'' a statement issued by the hospital said.

''The doctors are continuing tests in order to diagnose the changes which have taken place in Sharon's body and to administer the appropriate treatment.'' Sharon's family was with him, the hospital said.

The worsening of Sharon's health comes as Israeli forces battle Hizbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon, following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by guerrillas on July 12 and the bombarding of northern Israel by Hizbollah rockets.

Sharon, a former general, was Israel's defence minister when the country last invaded Lebanon, in 1982, an operation that was to result in a lengthy occupation that only ended in 2000.

After his haemorrhagic stroke, Sharon underwent several brain operations but has never regained consciousness.

In May, he was moved from a Jerusalem hospital to Tal Hashomer, a long-term care facility.

Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert, took over as interim leader when Sharon fell ill.

Olmert formally assumed office after the Kadima party that Sharon founded won the most seats in elections earlier this year and established a governing coalition.

For decades, Sharon was a key figure in shaping West Asia East.

Regarded as an archetypal hawk, he was a champion of the settler movement that involved building Jewish communities on occupied Palestinian land.

First elected prime minister in 2001, Sharon made an about-face in his second term, pulling Israeli settlers and soldiers out of the occupied Gaza Strip last year in hinting at a similar move to consolidate settlements in the West Bank.

The dramatic move, marking the first time Israel has dismantled settlements on land Palestinians want for a state, stirred a far-right revolt in his Likud party, leading to the formation of Kadima.

Reuters MQA RN2323