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Photo: Reuters
Bush to PM: Eat healthily and excercise
Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
Sharon leaves the hospital
Photo: Reuters

Bush to Sharon: I need you healthy

Prime minister returns to official residence in Jerusalem, conveying message of 'business as usual'; receives telephone call from Egyptian leader Mubarak and President Bush, who tells Sharon to eat healthily and exercise; prime minister meets with defense officials and advisors

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon spoke with U.S. President George Bush Tuesday, who congratulated him on his release from hospital, after suffering a mild stroke Sunday evening.

 

The prime minister is expected to rest at his official Jerusalem residence for a few days.

 


Sharon meets with his military secretary     (Photo: Avi Ohayun)

 

During the conversation, Bush told the prime minister that he hoped to greet a thinner Sharon when they meet in two months time. The president suggested Sharon eat healthily, exercise and not work too hard.

 

The PM thanked Bush for his warm wishes and concern for his well-being.

 

The president told Sharon that he views him as a full partner, a brave leader and a visionary of peace, expressing his desire to fight terror together with Sharon.

 

"I need you healthy. People love strong leadership built on principles, and you have proved this," Bush said. 

 

The two leaders also spoke about recent developments in the Palestinian Authority and about the need to defeat terror in order to advance the peace process.

 

Sharon received a telephone call from Washington Monday evening, on behalf of Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

 

Upon his release from hospital, Sharon was asked to call Bush to thank him for his warm wishes. However, before he was able to telephone the U.S., Sharon received a call from the White House.

 

Bush had heard about Sharon's release from hospital and wanted to personally speak with him and wish the prime minister a speedy recovery.

 

'Sharon did not rest for a moment'

 

According to Sharon's associates, the prime minister 'did not rest for moment,' after returning to his official residence at 12:30 p.m.

 

During this time, Sharon received

security updates from his military secretary Gadi Shamni and spoke with Shin Bet Director Yuval Diskin and other senior defense officials.

 

Sharon's advisors only left the house at 4:30 p.m. to enable him to rest with his family.

 

Apparently Bush’s advice fell on deaf ears as little time after his release from hospital Sharon scoffed his favorite lunch, aides said, without giving nutritional regard to the meal.

 

A barrage of diets recommended to the prime minister has been rejected for the time being. Aides said however they will not surrender to his “lust for lumpy meals.”

 

“This time we will make sure he follows a suitable diet, recommended by doctors,” they added.

 

For the meantime Sharon is resting in Jerusalem where his has been joined by his sons Omri and Gilad.

 

Prime minister thanks well-wishers

 

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called Sharon twice to congratulate him on his release from hospital. Mubarak told Sharon he was concerned upon hearing he had been hospitalized. Mubarak advised the prime minister to take some time off and rest.

 

“You have to rest, to look after your health and cut back on your work hours,” he said.

 

Sharon thanked Mubarak for his concern saying he appreciates the fact that the Egyptian President was the first head of state to call and inquire about his health.

 

The prime minister was also updated with the final results of the Likud primaries after which he called the victor and political foe Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him.

 

Sharon also called runner up and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom to thank him for his warm wishes.

Sharon later called the ministers in his Kadima faction to thank them for their concern and reassured he would be back to his office early next week.

 

Little rest so it seems awaits the prime minister, as a series of meetings are on his schedule for Tuesday. President Moshe Katsav and a number of security officials are among the visitors.

 

Sharon will be updated with the IDF’s handling of Qassam fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel and operations against terror groups in the West Bank.

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.20.05, 19:01
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