Special report: Israeli PM Ariel Sharon in critical condition

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon gestures at the end of his Likud Party's women conference in Tel Aviv in this March 10, 2005 file photo. Sharon, incapacitated by a January 4 stroke, underwent emergency surgery on February 11, 2006 for digestive complications, Jerusalem's Hadassah hospital said. (Xinhua/Reuters)

     JERUSALEM, Feb. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's life is in danger, Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital where Sharon is undergoing an emergency surgery said on Saturday.  

    "Sharon's life is in danger," Bossem-Levy, spokeswoman for the hospital, told reporters.

    The prime minister is undergoing a stomach surgery which may take three to six hours, the hospital said.

    The operation came after a CT stomach scan conducted Saturday morning indicated serious damage to Sharon's digestive system, and a flow of blood to his digestive track led to a deterioration in his condition, Army Radio reported.

    Ron Krumer, a doctor in the hospital, described Sharon's brain's condition as "unstable".

    Sharon suffered a massive stroke on Jan. 4 and has been unconscious ever since. A CT scan of his brain earlier this week showed that he remained in serious but stable condition. Sharon is nearly weaned from his respirator. 

    The prime minister's 78th birthday is to be marked this month. Enditem