Doctors in Israel say Ariel Sharon's condition has 'improved considerably' after three hours of emergency surgery.
The Israeli Prime Minister was returned to the operating theatre after a scan revealed fresh bleeding in his brain.
A hospital spokesman said that pressure on Mr Sharon's brain had been relieved and that he was in a critical but stable condition.
The 77-year-old has been kept in an induced coma after a second night in hospital.
He was admitted to the Hadassah Hospital on Wednesday night after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
He remained in a critical condition following seven hours of surgery yesterday to stop bleeding in his brain.
The death or incapacitation of Mr Sharon, who raised peace hopes by pulling Israeli settlers and troops out of Gaza in September, would create a huge vacuum in Israeli politics and the Middle East peace process.
