Special report: Israeli PM Ariel Sharon in critical condition

    JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday underwent a successful operation to repair surgical damage to his skull and returned to a stable condition, Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem said in a statement.

    "The surgery that Sharon was supposed to have on Tuesday took place on Wednesday and ended successfully a short while ago," the statement said.

    Sharon, who has undergone eight operations since suffering a massive stroke on Jan. 4, was taken back to his room in the intensive care unit afterwards.

    Surgeons replaced a section of Sharon's skull which was removed in an initial emergency operation to allow access to damaged portions of his brain.

    The operation is intended to prepare the comatose Sharon for a transfer to a rehabilitation center.

    It has not yet been decided when or if to transfer the prime minister, the Hadassah hospital said. Enditem