Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's authority has been transferred to his vice-premier after the Israeli leader suffered a "significant" stroke tonight with "massive bleeding" in his brain.
An ambulance brings Sharon to hospital
The Israeli leader was rushed to a hospital this evening after he complained of feeling unwell, less than three weeks after suffering a mild stroke and just hours before he was to undergo a heart procedure.
In a brief statement outside the hospital tonight, the hospital's director, Dr Mor-Yosef, said Sharon had suffered "a significant stroke," adding that he was "under anaesthetic and receiving breathing assistance."
Dr Mor-Yosef said initial tests showed Sharon had suffered a cerebral haemorrhage, or bleeding inside his brain. He added that Sharon had been transferred to an operating theatre.
Meanwhile, Israel's cabinet secretary, Mr Israel Maimon, said Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would assume Sharon's executive powers.
The Israeli leader's doctors said the stroke he suffered a few weeks ago could have been the result of a blood clot caused by the hole in the heart.
He was scheduled to undergo a heart procedure to treat his condition tomorrow.
Commenting on tonight's events, one senior political source said: "It looks very bad. I don't know if he will recover."
Earlier, Channel 10 News quoted Sharon's spokesman as saying that the symptoms were not severe, and reported that he was feeling pressure or pain in his chest.
The White House said tonight that its "thoughts and prayers" were with him and his family.
National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones also said President George W. Bush had been briefed on Sharon 's condition "and we will continue to monitor the situation."
Additional reporting: Agencies
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