Annan: I asked Sharon to work less
U.N. secretary general speaks with Israeli ambassador to U.N., inquires about PM's condition; says he pleaded with Sharon to cut down on his workload following first stroke
Annan said he had followed the reports
The secretary-general told the ambassador he had spoken with Sharon following the mild stroke the prime minister suffered about two weeks ago and pleaded with him to cut down on his workload.
Annan added that Sharon told him he had no time to rest because there were so many things he still wanted to do.
In an official statement, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that Annan hoped Sharon would make a quick recovery.
"The secretary-general is deeply concerned about the health of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He is following developments closely and very much hopes the prime minister will make a speedy recovery," the U.N. statement said.
"His thoughts are with Mr. Sharon and his family, as well as with the government and people of Israel," the statement added.
U.S. government officials, both in the White House and in the State Department, have been receiving continuous updates from Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon and senior embassy officials.
Bush: Sharon is a man of courage
The White House issued an official statement Wednesday night, but U.S. President George W. Bush also issued a personal reaction, in
which he said "Laura and I share the concerns of the Israeli people about Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's health, and we are praying for his recovery."
"Prime Minister Sharon is a man of courage and peace. On behalf of all Americans, we send our best wishes and hopes to the prime minister and his family," Bush added.
In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said "our thoughts and prayers are with Prime Minister Sharon, his family, and the Israeli people. We wish the Prime Minister a full recovery."
Earlier, U.S. National Security Council Spokesman Frederick Jones said President Bush had been briefed on Sharon's condition "and will continue to monitor the situation."
Well-wishes and expressions of concern poured in from across the world Thursday. Among the well-wishers were British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Jacques Chirac and Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia.
AFP contributed to the report
