Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Thursday survived a lengthy surgery and was transferred to an intensive care unit following a second operation that succeeded in halting cerebral bleeding.

Shlomo Mor-Yosef, director-general of Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, announced that the prime minister had a CT scan that showed the surgery had halted the hemorrhaging and the prime minister's vital signs were stable.

"Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was still in a very serious condition," he said.

Israel Radio, however, reported, "the assessment is that he is in a life-threatening state."

After a six-hour operation to stop cerebral hemorrhaging that continued for most of Wednesday night, Sharon had been returned to the operating room early Thursday morning following a CT scan that revealed additional areas of cerebral bleeding.

Mor-Yosef said Thursday morning that the first operation had apparently stopped the hemorrhaging, but a CT scan showed "extensive" bleeding in additional areas. Sharon was therefore returned to the operating room for an additional operation.

Mor-Yosef said that the prime minister was, of course, under general anaesthesia and receiving artificial respiration during the procedure.

Sharon suffered a massive brain hemorrhage late Wednesday. A short while after 1:00 a.m. (2300 GMT Wednesday), Sharon's personal physician, Dr. Shlomo Segev told reporters, "The prime minister is in surgery, the surgery is going as planned. We need to be patient. I have nothing else to add."

Prime Minister's spokesman Raanan Gissin said that "once the operation ends, the public will be notified. Until then, I suggest not to engage in speculation."

According to a medical expert, the procedure is life threatening. Asked what are the chances of surviving this type of surgery, the doctor replied, "Let's be optimistic, some people survive it."

The prime minister's close associates said of his condition Wednesday night: "hope for a miracle."

Justice Ministry spokesman Ya'acov Galant said that a prime minister legally remains in his post only as long as he is capable of making decisions.

Since Sharon is not conscious after suffering from what doctors called "a serious stroke," his powers and prerogatives were transferred to his deputy, Finance Minister Ehud Olmert.

Olmert convened a special cabinet meeting on Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) in order to brief the ministers on the temporary transfer of powers.

It initially appeared that Sharon's condition was not severe. According to well-placed sources, there were two deteriorations, the first just prior to his arrival at Hadassah and the second, upon entering the trauma unit.

While on his way to the hospital, Sharon's spokesmen claimed that the prime minister was conscious and able to speak, but had complained that he was suffering from weakness and "felt ill."

The prime minister initially complained of feeling chest pressure and pain. Two Sharon associates said the prime minister was feeling unwell at his Negev ranch, and following a discussion with his personal doctor, decided to be taken to the hospital.

After suffering a mild stroke 18 days ago, the prime minister had been scheduled to undergo a heart procedure Thursday morning.

However, the procedure was reportedly delayed due to the Wednesday evening event.

Sharon was seeking re-election in the March 28 election as head of a new centrist party, Kadima. He was enjoying a lead in polls.

The party's strength is centered on Sharon himself, and if he were forced to leave the scene, Israel's political scene would be thrown into turmoil.