source - BBC news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4586488.stm)

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Sharon back in operating theatre

Sharon's illness has plunged Israel into a state of uncertainty
Stricken Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is undergoing an emergency operation after a scan revealed fresh bleeding in his brain.
Hospital director Shlomo Mor-Yosef said the scan showed an enlarged ventricle and surgeons were trying to drain excess blood to relieve the pressure.

Mr Sharon, 77, underwent a seven-hour operation on Wednesday night after suffering a massive stroke.

His deputy, Ehud Olmert, has taken over as caretaker prime minister.

Induced coma

At 1210 (1010 GMT) on Friday, Professor Mor-Yosef told reporters Mr Sharon had returned to the operating theatre.

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"There was an increase in cranial pressure and there were changes in the blood pressure," he said.

"It was decided to bring the prime minister to the operating room in order to deal with these two issues - to drain the bleeding and to decrease the intracranial pressure."

An increase in intracranial pressure can be a severe medical problem.

It can lead to compression of important brain structures and the restriction of blood through the vessels that supply the brain.

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Jerusalem says this new operation is unexpected.

Earlier, the doctors were saying they expected no change in Mr Sharon's condition before the weekend, and that they planned to keep him sedated in an "induced coma" until at least Sunday.

ARIEL SHARON'S HEALTH
Sharon suffers minor stroke on 18 December 2005
Doctors discover small hole in heart, schedule operation for 5 January
Sharon rushed to hospital one day before scheduled surgery with major stroke


What is a stroke?

Mr Sharon's sons, Omri and Gilad, are among the family members and aides who have gathered at the Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem.

The BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says Israelis are experts at soaking up emergencies, but the loss of Mr Sharon from politics is a highly significant moment in this country's history.

Political turmoil

Correspondents say aides to Mr Sharon are working on the assumption that he will not be capable of resuming work.

As head of the recently formed Kadima (Forward) party, Mr Sharon had been widely expected to win Israel's general election on 28 March.

However, a survey published by Israel's Yediot Ahronot newspaper on Friday said Kadima led by Mr Olmert would still win 39 of the Knesset's 120 seats, with Labour capturing 20 seats and Likud 16.

Mr Olmert held talks with Kadima colleague Shimon Peres, a rival-turned-ally of Mr Sharon, on Friday morning.

Mr Peres said he was "very worried" about the prime minister's health.

But, he said, "We will know how to continue Israel's policy... to continue Ariel Sharon's policies."

Sending prayers his way ..

Sad news. Sending prayers his way........