Special Report: Ariel Sharon in Critical Condition

    JERUSALEM, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Justice Ministry said on Sunday that comatose Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will be declared permanently incapacitated on Tuesday, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported.

    The 78-year old prime minister, who has been in a coma for three months after suffering a massive stroke on Jan. 4, was declared temporarily incapacitated after the stroke and Ehud Olmert stepped in for him immediately as acting prime minister, said the report.

    Under Israeli law, Sharon can only serve in that capacity for up to 100 days before an official replacement for Sharon has to be named.

    That deadline expires on Friday, but as a weeklong Passover holiday begins on Wednesday, the declaration of permanent incapacitation has been moved up to Tuesday, said the paper. However, spokesman of the Justice Ministry Jacob Galanti mentioned that the declaration would not take effect if Sharon's condition improves before the deadline.

    Sharon just received a successful operation last week to repairsurgical damage to his skull and returned to stable condition. He has undergone eight operations since suffering the devastating stroke.

    Officials at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem where Sharon has been treated, said Sunday that discussions were under way on whether to move him to a long-term care facility. Experts say his chances of recovery are extremely slim, given the gravity of his stroke and his persistent coma.

    Meanwhile, Olmert is expected to be named Sharon's official replacement as he has started negotiation talks on building a coalition government following his Kadima party's election win in March 28. Enditem