World leaders hope Sharon recovers, see end of era

Thu Jan 5, 6:55 AM ET

World leaders on Thursday expressed hopes Ariel Sharon would recover from his massive stroke but made clear that the Israeli prime minister's dominance of Middle East politics was now over.

Only a miracle would allow the stricken general to take up the political reins again before end-March Israeli elections.

"This is very sad on a human level and totally negative on a political level," Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said.

"There is very, very little hope (for his recovery). Let's hope for a miracle, a miracle which would be extraordinarily important," he said in a radio interview.

"Israeli sources tell us that even if he should live, there is no possibility he can stay in politics," said Berlusconi, a Sharon ally who shifted Italian foreign policy from its traditionally pro-Arab stance toward a pro-Israeli position.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also spoke of the need for a miracle.

"He's been a huge figure in the region for many years, but he has surprised, I think, everybody by the courage and statesmanship he has shown in recent years to work toward a long-term peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians," Straw said on BBC radio.

But he added "Ariel Sharon's office are saying publicly that they are praying for a miracle, so we hope and pray for that miracle."

French President Jacques Chirac hoped Sharon would "overcome the painful test that he is undergoing." But a statement from Chirac's office seemed to indicate that Sharon himself would not be able to pursue his efforts for peace in the Middle East.

"The President of the Republic hopes for the continuation of the brave initiatives undertaken by Mr Sharon which have the backing of the whole of the international community," the statement said.

Chirac also offered Ehud Olmert, who has taken over as interim prime minister, France's "support, friendship and solidarity."

"COURAGE AND PEACE"

U.S. President George W. Bush praised Sharon, who has been crucial to his hopes for Middle East peace, as a man of "courage and peace."

"We are praying for his recovery," Bush said.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who postponed a planned trip to Israel, also hoped Sharon would recover soon.

But he added: "I am worried about the Middle East peace process. Peace in the Middle East affects the entire world and therefore we have to think about what Japan should do."

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana wrote to Olmert "offering his support and solidarity in these difficult and dramatic moments."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "My thoughts in these hours are with Ariel Sharon and his family. With my whole heart, I wish him a speedy recovery."

Some of Sharon's opponents were less charitable. The Islamic group Hamas accused him of "massacres and terrorism" and said, "The whole region will be better off with him absent."