Israel's Sharon turns 78 in coma

ISRAEL: Family and close friends of comatose Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon marked his 78th birthday on Sunday with subdued visits to his hospital bedside.

Other well-wishers filed into the Jerusalem hospital, bringing flowers, cards and prayers for the recovery of Sharon, who suffered a stroke on Jan. 4 as he campaigned for re-election on a platform of ending conflict with the Palestinians.

"I still hope he will wake up, that a miracle will happen," said Ilanit Itcha, who brought a gift to the hospital. "He is my prime minister and he is loved". Medical experts hold little hope for the recovery of the bulky ex-general, who helped shape the Middle East for decades and dominated Israeli politics like nobody since founding Prime Minister David Ben Gurion. Jerusalem, Monday, AFP