MADRID, Jan. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has sent the best wishes to seriously ill Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Spanish diplomatic sources said on Thursday.

    Moratinos called Israeli leaders to express the wishes of the Spanish government, speaking to former Prime Minister Shimon Perez,who had left the Labor Party to support Sharon's Kadima party.

    Sharon was rushed to emergency surgery following a "far-reaching" stroke and a massive brain hemorrhage late Wednesday.

    The director of Jerusalem Hadassah Hospital said after the surgery that Sharon would remain under deep sedation and on a respirator for at least 48 hours.

    Later this month, Moratinos is scheduled to go to Israel to attend a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and Spain. Israeli President Moshe Katsav is expected to be present at the ceremony scheduled for Jan. 17.

    The Spanish foreign minister has also planned to visit the Palestinian territories to meet with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas. Enditem