Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's condition remained serious, but initial indications were positive as his right hand and leg moved in response to stimuli, Hadassah Hospital director Shlomo Mor-Yosef said Monday.

"We did a number of pain tests, involving pressure in certain places which causes pain to a normal person...The prime minister Sharon slightly moves his right hand and right leg. This is a slight movement, but it's a significant one," Yosef told reporters outside the hospital.

He said Sharon was still connected to a breathing machine, but was breathing on his own, adding that the process of weaning Sharon off sedation could take hours or days.

"With the beginning of the procedure, while reducing his medicine, the prime minister began breathing unassisted," said Mor- Yosef, but added that "I want to reiterate and emphasize that the prime minister's condition is still serious."

The hospital director said the doctors are continuing in the reduction of the dosage of anaesthetics during the procedure of bringing Sharon out of his medically-induced coma.

Earlier Monday, Sharon's doctors officially decided to bring him out of his coma, following a consultation in which they reviewed Sharon's condition.

It was expected that only after Sharon's wake-up that his motion and cognitive capabilities could be assessed.

Sharon, 77, was rushed to the hospital late last Wednesday for a major stroke.

His hospitalization raised concerns over the prospects for his newly founded Kadima party in the March 28 elections and dented efforts to make peace with the Palestinians.

Source: Xinhua