Abbas follows Sharon's condition with 'great worry'

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said today he is following Ariel Sharon’s health crisis “with great worry”, but that it would not derail Palestinian parliament elections.

Sharon suffered a massive stroke and is in serious condition, following emergency surgery.

Palestinian officials said they feared Sharon’s possible departure from the political scene could plunge the region into turmoil and even derail the January 25 parliament elections in the West Bank and Gaza.

“No doubt what happens to Sharon affects Israel first, but it will not affect our elections,” Abbas said.

“We look with great worry to what might happen if he (Sharon) is harmed.”