Israeli Prime Minister elect Ariel Sharon prays at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old city

A scan of Ariel Sharon's brain on Sunday showed improvement, but doctors decided to wait another day to start bringing the Israeli leader out of his medically induced coma, an important step in determining how much damage he suffered from a massive stroke.

One of Sharon's doctors said if the prime minister survives, he would not be able to return to office. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Cabinet he would work to carry on Sharon's political legacy.

Sharon remained in critical condition Sunday at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital after suffering a stroke late Wednesday and undergoing two lengthy surgeries to stop massive bleeding in his brain. Sharon previously experienced a mild stroke Dec. 18.

Doctors have kept Sharon in a medically induced coma and on a respirator since Thursday to give him time to heal. Sharon's medical team decided that on Monday morning they would begin reducing the level of sedatives he is receiving to start pulling him out of the coma.

Experts said the process could take six to eight hours, and doctors should have a good idea of the extent of the damage by the end of the day.

A new brain scan Sunday showed his vital signs, including the pressure inside his skull, were normal, said Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, the hospital director.

"His condition is still critical but stable, and there is improvement in the CT picture of the brain," Mor-Yosef said.

"In light of all these factors, the panel of experts decided to start the process of taking him out of the sedation tomorrow morning. This all depends, of course, on whether the prime minister makes it until tomorrow morning without any significant incidents."

Doctors had planned to start pulling Sharon from the coma Sunday, but decided to wait another day after performing the new scan.

The 77-year-old Sharon, Israel's most popular politician, was seen by many as the best hope for resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict. His grave illness, just three months before elections, has stunned Israelis and left Middle East politics in limbo .

(Agencies)

critical condition : （危险状态）

limbo: an intermediate place or state （不稳定状态）