Israel's Sharon Suffers Massive Stroke

It is Sharon's second stroke in a little over two weeks (file photo) (epa) 5 January 2006 -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has suffered what doctors call a "significant stroke" with "massive bleeding" in his brain.

Overnight, he was undergoing surgery after being rushed to a hospital in Jerusalem.

Doctors said the 77-year-old Israeli premier has suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. It is Sharon's second stroke in just over two weeks.

Political powers have been transferred to Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Sharon had been planning to run for a third term in office under his newly-formed centrist party, Kadima, after quitting the ruling Likud party in November.

(Reuters/AP/AFP)