The condition of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has worsened, doctors said.
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.
However, a family friend said although Mr Sharon's condition was bad, it was not irreversible and that doctors had not said his life was threatened.
The deterioration of Mr Sharon's health comes as Israel is again fighting neighbour Lebanon as it battles Hizbullah guerrillas there and masses forces on the border.
As defence minister, Mr Sharon - loved at home and loathed in the Arab world - sent the Israeli army as far as Beirut to root out Palestinian guerrillas.
