Sharon moved to intensive care
Ariel Sharon has not regained consciousness since his January stroke
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Friday, 03, Nov 2006 07:53
Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has been admitted to intensive care after contracting a heart infection, the hospital treating him has revealed.
Tel Aviv's Sheba Medical Centre today said that the 78-year-old, who suffered a serious stroke in the new year, is in a "stable condition".
"[Mr] Sharon contracted an infection that is affecting his heart and will receive intensive treatment to combat the infection," a hospital statement said.
The ex-leader has been in a coma since January and has been plagued with further health problems since being moved from Jerusalem to long-term care facilities five months ago.
In August he suffered from a bout of pneumonia, and has also been treated with kidney dialysis.
Mr Sharon's five-year term as prime minister of the Jewish state came to an end on the eve of the country's parliamentary elections, with his successor Ehud Olmert winning a slight majority in the Knesset with the newly formed Kadima party.
The former army commander and defence minister is not expected to return to frontline politics, leaving his forced withdrawal of settlers and soldiers from the Gaza Strip - which ended 38 years of occupation - the construction of the controversial West Bank barrier and the creation of Kadima itself as his lasting legacy.