Related: Sharon suffers minor stroke three months ahead of elections

    JERUSALEM, Dec. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Physicians at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem will decide on Monday whether to discharge Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who was rushed to the medical center's trauma unit Sunday evening after suffering a minor stroke.

    Sharon's long-time personal physician Dr. Boleslav Goldman was quoted by the local daily Ha'aretz as saying earlier that Sharon will remain in hospital for at least 24 hours and possibly for several days.

    Goldman said Sharon's functioning was in no way damaged.

    Meanwhile, Dr. Yuval Weiss, deputy manager of Hadassah University Hospital, told reporters early Monday morning that "initial tests indicate that the prime minister has undergone a mild stroke and his condition improved during the tests. The prime minister was fully conscious during the test."

    Actually, several hours after Sharon was admitted to Hadassah Sunday night, the prime minister was "talking freely, moving and joking," said Goldman.

    By midnight, Sharon repeated "I'm fine" in a conversation with Ha'aretz.

    "Apparently I should have taken a few days off for vacation,"said the prime minister.

    After complaining of feeling unwell Sunday evening, Sharon, 77,was rushed to the hospital in his own vehicle and underwent a neurological scan.

    Shortly after he was hospitalized on Sunday night, leaders in Israel and around the world called to inquire about Sharon's health and sent him messages wishing him a speedy recovery, Israel Radio reported on Monday.

    Sharon received messages from Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and US envoy Elliott Abrams, who was speaking on behalf of the US government, Sharon's aide Raanan Gissin said.

    Officials in the White House and the US State Department, as well as EU envoy Javier Solana, also called to wish Sharon a speedy recovery, Gissin said. Enditem