Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Ariel Sharon’s personal physician was quick to dismiss claims reported by Israeli and foreign media outlets that the former Israeli prime minister awakened form his coma.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Sharon’s lawyer and close friend, Dov Weisglas, said on Israeli radio that Sharon, hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center for nearly four years, is “in a stage before awakening from his coma.”

Sharon’s family still have hope that he would recover, especially that Sharon is able to open his eyes and appears to be aware of his surroundings.

Yet Dr. Shlomo Segev, Sharon’s personal physician, despite asserting that Sharon is in a persistent vegetative state and had suffered severe brain damage, notes that not many people in Sharon’s age and condition can endure as long as him.

Segev indicated that although some people may come out of such a state, they tend to be younger, yet added that Sharon is not in a very deep coma to prevent him from opening his eyes.

Sharon served as Israeli prime minister from 2001 until 2006, during which he drifted from the Likud party and formed the Kadima party. He suffered a stroke and severe brain damage in January 2006, disabling him from carrying out his duties.