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The Israeli cabinet unanimously declared ailing prime minister Ariel Sharon “permanently incapacitated” on Tuesday, AFP reported.
The cabinet decision marks the official end of Sharon’s five-year tenure.
The coma-stricken leader was expected to win a third straight term as prime minister, but he suffered a massive stroke on January 4 that forced him out of the political scene.
The Israeli cabinet also designated Ehud Olmert acting prime minister, an appointment expected to take effect on Friday.
Olmert, 60, was handed the powers of Sharon shortly after the 78-year-old leader suffered the stroke.
Under Israeli law, a sick prime minister can have a temporary replacement for up to 100 days before the appointment of an official successor.
As leader of the centrist Kadima party that Sharon founded last November, Olmert is trying to form a coalition government after his movement won last month’s parliamentary election.
After the cabinet meeting, Olmert said he hoped his status as acting prime minister won’t last long.
"I hope today's decision will only be a short-term one," he told his ministers. "We are busy forming the next government."
Al Jazeera
The cabinet decision marks the official end of Sharon’s five-year tenure.
The coma-stricken leader was expected to win a third straight term as prime minister, but he suffered a massive stroke on January 4 that forced him out of the political scene.
The Israeli cabinet also designated Ehud Olmert acting prime minister, an appointment expected to take effect on Friday.
Olmert, 60, was handed the powers of Sharon shortly after the 78-year-old leader suffered the stroke.
Under Israeli law, a sick prime minister can have a temporary replacement for up to 100 days before the appointment of an official successor.
As leader of the centrist Kadima party that Sharon founded last November, Olmert is trying to form a coalition government after his movement won last month’s parliamentary election.
After the cabinet meeting, Olmert said he hoped his status as acting prime minister won’t last long.
"I hope today's decision will only be a short-term one," he told his ministers. "We are busy forming the next government."
Al Jazeera