Sharon's reign to 'officially' end

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma for three months, will be declared permanently incapacitated on Tuesday, a decision that will signal the official end of his reign, the Justice Ministry said today.

Sharon, 78, was declared temporarily incapacitated after he lapsed into a coma following a massive stroke on January 4. Ehud Olmert stepped in for him immediately as acting prime minister, but under Israeli law he can only serve in that capacity for up to 100 days before an official replacement for Sharon has to be named.

That deadline expires on Friday, but because the week-long Jewish Passover holiday begins on Wednesday the declaration of permanent incapacitation has been moved up to Tuesday – with the proviso that it not take effect if Sharon’s condition improves before the deadline, ministry spokesman Jacob Galanti said.

Olmert, who won the March 28 elections, is expected to be named Sharon’s official replacement as he continues negotiating with smaller parties to form a governing coalition.

Officials a Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where Sharon is being treated, said today that discussions were still under way on whether to move him to a long-term care facility. Experts say his chances of recovery are extremely slim, given the gravity of his stroke and his persistent coma.

Hospital spokesman Ron Krumer defined Sharon’s condition as “serious, but stable”, a reflection that his life is not in immediate danger.

Last week, Sharon underwent surgery to restore a part of his skull removed in previous operations after his stroke.