Sharon to transfer power during heart operation

Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon will be given general anaesthesia during a heart operatio on Thursday and turn over his duties to his deputy, Ehud Olmert.

Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon will be given general anaesthesia during a heart operation on Thursday and turn over his duties to his deputy, Ehud Olmert.

Olmert will assume Sharon’s duties for about three hours while doctors perform the procedure to seal a small hole in the prime minister’s heart.