Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been hospitalized since last week's massive stroke, has remained in danger despite latest slight improvements, and might have to stay in hospital for months, one of his doctors told an Israeli TV channel on Wednesday.

"The prime minister's life is still in danger since he has suffered a significant stroke," Dr. Jose Cohen, one of Sharon's neurosurgeons, told Israel Channel 1 TV, playing down outright optimism sparked by Sharon's recent improvements.

"We have just waded through a few stages and we have to remain very cautious," he said, adding that Sharon is still in danger despite the improvements.

In addition, Cohen said Sharon might have to stay in hospital for months, dismissing a quick recuperation.

Earlier in the day, Jerusalem's Hadassah hospital where Sharon is being treated said that the prime minister continued showing slight improvement in his condition but remained under slight sedation.

Doctors had said that they would by Wednesday evening halt the sedatives that have kept Sharon in a medically induced coma for the past week.

The 77-years-old Sharon has been in improvements ever since Monday, reacting to pain stimuli in both sides of his body, but doctors cautioned that the extent of damage to his brain can be fully assessed only when he completely wakes up, which might mean days.