JERUSALEM, Jan. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will have general anesthetic when he undergoes a cardiac operation on Thursday at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, officials of the hospital said on Tuesday.

   The operation itself is expected to last 30 minutes, but recovery from the effects of the anesthetic will take approximately two hours, therefore, Sharon's authority will be assumed by Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a period of three hours.

   Cardiologists said catheterization, the operation Sharon is going through, is a relatively low risk one and the hospital official said on Monday that barring unexpected complications, Sharon would be released by Friday afternoon.

   In consultations with Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, it was determined that there was no need to name an acting prime minister at the time.

   Sharon, who had a mild stroke on Dec. 18 and stayed in hospital for a day, will undergo a medical procedure to mend a small hole in his heart to prevent future blood clots. Enditem