Comatose Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's life was not in immediate danger after emergency surgery today, but the operation would not improve his chances of recovery, the hospital said.
Hadassah hospital director Shlomo Mor-Yosef told a news conference that one third of Mr Sharon's large intestine was removed to avoid the danger of infection and that there were no complications during the operation.
Mr Sharon has been in a coma since suffering a massive stroke on January 4. Mor-Yosef said that after the operation today, he was in a critical but stable condition.
"I don't see any problem with the outcome of this specific operation, but again the main problem is not this operation, but recovering from his stroke," Mor Yosef said.
"Of course such a dramatic event as happened to him this morning won't help him recover ... It won't contribute to the wellbeing of Prime Minister Sharon. Every day that passes, the chances are reduced."