Monday, January 9 2006 18:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jerusalem: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon began breathing on his own today (Jan 9, 2006) after doctors started bringing him out of an induced coma to assess damage caused by his massive stroke, doctors said.

Outside experts said that while independent breathing meant Sharon had better chances for survival, it gave no indication about his other physical or mental capacities.

Doctors made the decision to lift the anaesthesia after a round of consultations today. Hospital director Dr Shlomo Mor-Yosef said the process of weaning Sharon from sedation could take hours or days.

"As soon as we started reducing the drugs the Prime Minister started to breathe independently, although he is still hooked up to a respirator that is used as an aid," Mor-Yosef said, adding that Sharon remains in critical condition.

Outside experts have said doctors should have a good idea of the extent of the damage by the end of the day. One of Sharon's neurosurgeons has cautioned that it was unlikely he could function as Prime Minister again.

After withdrawing the sedatives, doctors are to pass their assessment of brain damage to Attorney General Meni Mazuz, who will then decide whether to declare the Prime Minister permanently incapacitated. "The minute we know what damage has occurred, we will talk," Justice Ministry spokesman Yaakov Galanti said.

Since an acting Prime Minister is in place, there is no urgency to such a declaration, Galanti added.