Sharon, 78, suffered a devastating stroke Jan. 4 and has been in a coma ever since.

The declaration was largely symbolic because Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert, has been Israel's de facto leader since January and medical experts believe Sharon's chances of recovery are extremely slim.

However, under Israeli law, an ailing prime minister can only have a temporary replacement for up to 100 days before an official successor must be named. That deadline expired April 14.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 22, 2006
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