Israeli doctors are discussing when to stop giving Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sedatives that have kept him in a coma since he suffered a massive stroke last week.

Officials at Jerusalem's Hadassah hospital say doctors plan to perform another brain scan on Mr. Sharon to try to assess damage caused by the stroke.

Mr. Sharon's condition showed "slight improvements" Wednesday. But doctors have expressed doubt that the 77-year-old leader will be able to return to work as prime minister.

Meanwhile, Israel's right-wing Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu has asked four remaining Likud cabinet ministers to resign, as the party chooses a list of candidates for the March 28 elections.

Israeli media say it is not clear if the ministers will step down ahead of a crucial cabinet meeting Sunday, when they are to decide whether to permit voting in Arab East Jerusalem for the January 25 Palestinian parliamentary elections.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.