Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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Sharon's Breathing Tube Surgically Replaced
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=10A2550:3919ACA 77-year-old prime
minister has been on respirator since he was incapacitated by a brain
hemorrhage on January 4 Israeli doctors say Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon, who remains in a coma since suffering a stroke two weeks ago,
underwent a surgical procedure overnight to replace his breathing
tube.

The Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem issued a statement Wednesday
morning, saying the procedure was necessary because the respiratory
pipe developed a technical problem.

The statement said Mr. Sharon's condition continues to be critical but
stable.

The 77-year-old prime minister has been on respirator since he was
incapacitated by a brain hemorrhage on January 4.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.


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