Sharon undergoes surgery for cerebral bleeding

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was rushed to hospital last night after suffering a major stroke and a senior source said he feared there may be no chance of recovery from a brain haemorrhage.

Mr Sharon, a hefty 77-year-old ex-general, has for decades been a key figure in shaping the Middle East.

He has dominated the political stage in the Jewish state and was widely expected to win re-election in March on a platform of ending conflict with the Palestinians.