JERUSALEM, Jan. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will remain in deep sedation and on a respirator for at least 24 more hours following surgeries that had stopped the massive cerebral bleeding, director of Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital said on Thursday.

   "The situation is still serious, but it's stable," Shlomo Mor-Yosef said, as Sharon was moved into the intensive care unit.

   "Part of the treatment of the prime minister, in order to preserve low pressure in the skull, is sedation and respiration for at least the next 24 hours," said Mor-Yosef.

   Neurosurgeons had fought to stabilize Sharon's condition and stop new bleeding detected in his brain Thursday morning, nine hours after Sharon was rushed into emergency surgery following a "far-reaching" stroke and a massive brain hemorrhage late Wednesday.

   A neurosurgeon on Thursday commented that Sharon's chances of staying alive are very slim.

   A short while after 1:00 a.m. (2300 GMT Wednesday), Sharon's personal physician Dr. Shlomo Segev told reporters, "The prime minister is in surgery, the surgery is going as planned. We need to be patient. I have nothing else to add."

   Prime Minister's spokesman Raanan Gissin said that "once the operation ends, the public will be notified. Until then, I suggest not to engage in speculation."

   According to a medical expert, the procedure is life threatening. Asked what are the chances of surviving this type of surgery, the doctor replied, "Let's be optimistic, some people survive it."

   The prime minister's close associates said of his condition Wednesday night: "hope for a miracle."

   Justice Ministry spokesman Ya'acov Galant said that a prime minister legally remains in his post only if he is capable of making decisions.

   Since Sharon is not conscious after suffering from what doctors called "a serious stroke," his powers and prerogatives were transferred to his deputy and Finance Minister Ehud Olmert.

   Olmert convened a special cabinet meeting on Thursday morning to brief the ministers on the temporary transfer of powers.

   It initially appeared that Sharon's condition was not severe. According to well-placed sources, there were two deteriorations, the first just prior to his arrival at Hadassah Hospital and the second, upon entering the trauma unit.

   While on his way to the hospital, Sharon's spokesmen claimed that the prime minister was conscious and able to speak, but had complained that he was suffering from weakness and "felt ill."

   The prime minister initially complained of feeling chest pressure and pain. Two Sharon associates said the prime minister was feeling unwell at his Negev ranch, and following a discussion with his personal doctor, decided to be taken to the hospital.

   After suffering a mild stroke 18 days ago, the prime minister had been scheduled to undergo a heart procedure Thursday morning.

   However, the procedure was reportedly delayed due to the Wednesday evening event.

   Sharon was seeking re-election in the March 28 election as head of a new centrist party, Kadima. He was enjoying a lead in polls. The party's strength is centered on Sharon himself, and if he were forced to leave the scene, Israel's political scene would be thrown into turmoil. Enditem