Sharon 'will not return to PM role'

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been taken for another brain scan to help doctors decide when to start bringing the Israeli leader out of an induced coma after he suffered a massive stroke.

One of the surgeons said Sharon's chances of survival are "very high", but that his ability to think and reason would be impaired. He also ruled out the possibility of his returning to serve as prime minister.

Sharon's doctors began their talks on pulling him out of his coma, said Hadassah Hospital spokesman Ron Krumer.