Special report: Israeli PM Ariel Sharon in critical condition

   JERUSALEM, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, comatose since January after suffering a massive stroke, is to be moved to a long-term care facility next week, local newspaper The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday.

   "Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will be moved at the beginning of next week from Hadassah Hospital to the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital" outside Tel Aviv, said the paper, quoting a statement issued by Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem where Sharon is being treated.

   Experts from the long-term care facility at Tel Hashomer Hospital have been consulting with Sharon's doctors and experts at Hadassah for several weeks about moving Sharon, who is 78, according to the report.

   Sharon has had extensive brain surgeries after suffering massive bleeding in his brain on Jan. 4, but has not regained consciousness.

   The last surgery, in April, was to reattach a part of his skull, removed during an emergency surgery to reduce pressure inside his brain. The reattachment was described as a necessary step before transferring Sharon to a long-term care facility.

   Experts said Sharon's inability to regain consciousness meant his chances for recovery were slim.

   They also said that Sharon's chances of regaining consciousness had become even less, nearly five months since he was felled by the massive stroke. Enditem