World briefs 2/13/06

Sharon in critical but stable condition after surgery

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been comatose since suffering a massive stroke more than five weeks ago, was in critical but stable condition Sunday following emergency abdominal surgery, the hospital treating him said. Though the surgery was successful, Sharon's doctors said hope was fading for the premier to wake from his coma. Since the stroke, Sharon has been hooked up to a breathing tube. A feeding tube was inserted in his stomach on Feb. 1.

Archaeologists discover huge tomb in Greece

THESSALONIKI, Greece -- Archaeologists have unearthed a massive tomb in the northern Greek town of Pella, capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia and birthplace of Alexander the Great. The eight-chambered tomb dates to the Hellenistic Age between the fourth and second century B.C., and is the largest of its kind ever found in Greece. The biggest multichambered tombs until now contained three chambers. The 678-square-foot tomb hewn out of rock was discovered by a farmer plowing his field on the eastern edge of the ancient cemetery of Pella, some 370 miles north of Athens, archaeologists said.

Lawyer says Saddam won't go on hunger strike

AMMAN, Jordan -- The chief lawyer representing Saddam Hussein said Sunday he was wrong in reporting that the former Iraqi leader and seven co-defendants would begin a hunger strike to protest the "illegality" of the court hearing their case. Khalil al-Dulaimi had initially reported that the hunger strike would begin today, saying he received the information through sources at the detention center where Saddam and the other defendants were being held. "I checked and I was told that the sources were not credible and that there will be no hunger strike on Monday," al-Dulaimi said.

Israel urges world to remain firm against Hamas

JERUSALEM -- Israel's foreign minister on Sunday criticized Russia's invitation for Hamas leaders to visit Moscow for talks, urging the international community to stand firm in rejecting the militant group despite its victory in Palestinian elections. But Israeli officials said they did not plan a harsh response to the invitation, preferring instead to work to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to maintain international pressure on Hamas. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Russia to make it clear that Hamas must stop terror attacks.

-- From wire reports