Ex-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dies aged 85

Ariel Sharon, former Israeli Prime Minister, has died after being in a coma
for 8 years. Image source: BBC. 

Former Prime Minster of Israel Ariel Sharon has passed away in hospital after being in a coma for eight years, it has been announced. 

The son of Mr Sharon, Glad Sharon, is quoted as saying: "He has gone. He went when he decided to go".

The condition of the former Prime Minister had deteriorated in the past few weeks, with doctors warning of his worsening health in recent days.

He had been in a coma for the past 8 years after suffering a stroke in 2006.

Mr Sharon, who was a controversial  key figure in Israeli politics and its military (he served in the Israeli army), became Prime Minister of the country in 2001.

He has died aged 85 in Sheba hospital, where he was being treated.