The condition of Ariel Sharon, the former Israeli prime minister who masterminded the 1982 invasion of Lebanon, has deteriorated, doctors said yesterday.
Doctors at the Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv said the 78-year-old, who fell into a coma after a stroke on January 4th, was suffering from an accumulation of fluids in his body and problems with the functioning of his kidneys.
"Over the past two days the doctors have identified a deterioration in the kidney function . . . and changes in brain tissue," the hospital said in a statement.
"The doctors are continuing tests in order to diagnose the changes which have taken place in Mr Sharon's body and to administer the appropriate treatment." Mr Sharon's family was with him, the hospital said.
However, a family friend said that while Mr Sharon's condition was bad, it was not irreversible and said that doctors had pointedly not said that his life was threatened. "This was kind of expected. The situation is under control," said the friend, who asked not to be identified.
After his stroke, Mr Sharon underwent several brain operations but has never regained consciousness. In May, he was moved from a Jerusalem hospital to Tel Hashomer, a long-term care facility. His deputy, Ehud Olmert, took over as interim leader when Mr Sharon fell ill.