Saturday, January 7 2006 19:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jerusalem: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon underwent an additional brain scan today (Jan 7,2006) morning as doctors prepared to assess how much damage the Israeli leader has suffered from his severe stroke.

Hadassah hospital spokeswoman Yael Bossem-Levy said the results of the scan wouldn't be disclosed before a 21:30 IST briefing unless there has been a change in Sharon's condition. The hospital said the procedure, which checks for intracranial bleeding and pressure, had been planned.

Before the scan, hospital spokesman Ron Krumer said there had been no change in the prime minister's condition since yesterday (Jan 6,2006).

Worshippers at Hadassah Hospital said a prayer for the ailing Prime Minister during services on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Other synagogues were expected to mention Sharon by name in the special prayer for the ill recited on Sabbath.

Sharon was rushed to Hadassah on Wednesday night after complaining of weakness. He suffered a major stroke in the ambulance, and underwent emergency surgery on Thursday and yesterday to stop bleeding in the brain and elieve swelling inside the skull.

Hospital director Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef reported that a brain scan following yesterday's five-hour surgery showed 'significant improvement' compared with a preoperative scan, but said Sharon remained in serious condition.

Outside experts have said the prognosis looks grim, given the severity of the Prime Minister's stroke.