JERUSALEM, Jan. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is scheduled to undergo a cardiac catheterization on Thursday, his office confirmed on Sunday.

   Earlier media reports said that Sharon is scheduled to undergo a cardiac catheterization on Thursday in Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem in Jerusalem in a procedure that is to be performed earlier than had been expected.

   Sharon's office announced in a statement that the premier will undergo a catheterization, a minor heart operation, on Thursday and be admitted to hospital overnight.

   Doctors said last week that Sharon would undergo the procedure, known as a cardiac catheterization, in the coming weeks as the hole was discovered after his stroke on Dec. 18. Enditem