Ariel Sharon
Ariel SharonGPO photo

The condition of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, described Friday as in a "slow, gradual" decline after eight years in a coma, was unchanged Saturday, according to public radio.  

"At this time we cannot report any change in the condition of former prime minister Ariel Sharon," the station reported from Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv.    

Sharon is reportedly nearing death, with the 85-year-old's health worsening Wednesday as he suffered serious kidney problems after surgery.    

"Tests show a slow, gradual deterioration in the functioning of his vital organs... His state has not changed. He's still in critical condition, and his life is in danger," Tel Hashomer hospital director Zeev Rotstein was quoted by public radio as saying Friday in the last official bulletin on his condition before Shabbat.   

"I don't think the situation will improve with time, and we know what usually happens in cases like this," he added, suggesting that Sharon might die soon.  

Rotstein said there were traces of infection in Sharon's blood, and that it had not been possible for him to undergo renal dialysis since his other organs were in such a fragile state.    

Sharon has remained in a vegetative state since suffering a massive stroke in 2006. Since then his condition was relatively stable, but in recent weeks deteriorated significantly after he suffered a renal failure.