Sharon 'not in vegetative state'

An Israeli TV station today quoted hospital officials as saying Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is not in a vegetative state and that his reflexes are responding to stimulation.

Sharon is in deep sedation, following a seven-hour surgery to stop a brain haemorrhage.

Dr Zeev Feldman, a neurosurgeon at Israel’s Tel Hashomer Hospital who is not involved in Sharon’s treatment, said the test results appeared encouraging.

“I think this is good news. This information that the prime minister is reacting and they got reactions from him to stimulation is really a situation that can show that he is waking up after the operation,” Feldman told Channel 2.

“This is the first time that we have a positive indications regarding his condition.”