Sharon breathing on his own

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon began breathing independently last night shortly after doctors started to rouse him from a medically induced coma.

"The moment we began reducing the dosage, the Prime Minister began breathing independently," Dr Shlomo Mor-Yosef, director of Jerusalem's Hadassad Hospital, told reporters.

He said Sharon was still in a critical condition.

Doctors started reducing the PM's sedation to assess the damage to his brain caused by a severe stroke.

They earlier cautioned that it was unlikely Sharon could recover enough to return to his post.

Weaning Sharon off the anaesthetics was expected to take six to eight hours, and experts said doctors should have an idea of the extent of the damage this morning (NZ time).

Hospital spokeswoman Yael Bossem-Levy would not disclose the timetable for the procedures.

One of Sharon's doctors said the Prime Minister - if he survives - would not be able to resume office.

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, seen as Sharon's potential heir, told the Cabinet he would work to carry on the PM's political legacy.

Sharon suffered the stroke last week and underwent two lengthy operations to stop the bleeding that developed in his brain.

Doctors had kept him in a coma to give him time to heal from the trauma.

If doctors determine that Sharon is permanently incapacitated, the Cabinet would immediately meet to choose a new Prime Minister.

One of Sharon's surgeons, Dr Jose Cohen, said the Prime Minister's chances of survival were high, but his ability to think and reason would be impaired.

- REUTERS