JERUSALEM, April 4 (Xinhua) -- A surgery Israeli former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was to undergo Tuesday was delayed due to a respiratory infection, Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital said.

    Sharon, 78, has been in coma since Jan. 4 after suffering a massive stroke.

    Sharon's surgery has been delayed due to a slight infection discovered Tuesday morning in his respiratory tract, said a statement released by Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital.

    Tuesday's surgery was to restore part of Sharon's skull removed three months ago after his massive stroke.

    No new date for the surgery has been set yet, but a spokesman with the hospital said the date depended on how quickly the infection cleared up. Enditem