Roundup: Solidarity among politicians as doctors to bring Sharon out of deep sedation

Israel's Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem said Sunday afternoon that the latest scan carried out on the brain of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon showed a " slight improvement," provided he is still in critical condition.

Mor-Yosef, a doctor from the hospital said the latest brain scan showed brain swelling had gone down, intra-cranial and blood pressure were within normal range, and that cerebral spinal fluid was draining well.

According to him, doctors will try to bring Sharon out of his medically induced coma Monday morning to determine the actual brain damage.

"In light of all these factors the panel of experts decided to start the process of taking him out of the sedation tomorrow morning," Mor-Yosef said, adding "this all depends of course on whether the prime minister makes it until tomorrow morning without any significant incidents."

Sharon underwent the scan Sunday morning to help doctors decide when to start bringing him out of deep sedation, a key to determine how much brain damage he suffered from a severe stroke and cerebral hemorrhage.

The hospital said Sunday morning that there had been no change overnight in Sharon's "critical but stable" condition.

In the morning, specialists at the hospital also met to discuss the condition and future treatment of Sharon, who was admitted to the hospital Wednesday evening after suffering the stroke and hemorrhage.

Until the prime minister regains consciousness, it will be impossible to determine the extent to which his brain has been damaged.

Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the cabinet on Sunday that he will "carry out the wishes" of Prime Minister Sharon, and get on with the job of running the country.

Olmert told the ministers during the regular weekly cabinet meeting that if Sharon could speak, he would want everyone to return to work on the country's pressing security, social and economic issues.

"This we will continue to do," he said. "We will continue also to carry out the wishes of Sharon, to manage affairs as necessary. "

Following criticism for not clearly stating his political intentions, veteran Israeli politician Shimon Peres on Sunday morning voiced support for the first time for Olmert, telling Israel Radio that he would offer him all the help that he needed.

Peres, former prime minister, quit the Labor Party after his defeat by trade unionist Amir Peretz in the party's leadership race in November 2005 and has pledged solidarity with Sharon's newly founded Kadima party.

He told the radio that the decision to make Olmert acting prime minister was the correct one.

Peres was criticized earlier Sunday by a Kadima minister for playing the political field, saying "Peres is trying to raise his price. He is making as if he is in Olmert's pocket, and Peretz is begging him to return."

Meanwhile, Attorney General Menahem Mazuz said on Sunday that Olmert must soon appoint new ministers to take over the 12 portfolios he currently holds.

According to Mazuz, it is unadvisable for Olmert to hold all 12 ministerial portfolios. Sharon had taken responsibility for the ministries when the Labor Party quit the coalition after electing Amir Peretz to the party's chairmanship.

Israel Radio also reported Sunday that Olmert is expected to meet with former prime minister Ehud Barak in the coming days. The two are scheduled to discuss matters pertaining to the security situation.

Aides to Barak told the Radio on Sunday that the meeting is not of a political nature but rather one of a former prime minister seeking an update on affairs of the state from an acting prime minister.

Barak himself also expressed support for Olmert's leadership. " Ehud Olmert is a worthy replacement for Ariel Sharon," Barak told an interviewer of the British Sky News TV channel on Sunday.

"He doesn't have the aura of a warrior, but ... he's a very shrewd person ... he has a lot of experience and he's held a lot of ministerial portfolios," Barak said.

Source: Xinhua