Bush to Sharon: Exercise, Diet and Work Less Hours.

By Ha'aretz, VOA News & IsraelNationalNews.com

President George W. Bush told Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to eat less, work less and exercise more in a Tuesday phone call after Sharon's release from a Jerusalem hospital after treatment for a mild stroke, a government statement

A pale but smiling Sharon was released from Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem on Tuesday morning, declaring that the incident would not have an impact on his work.

Bush called to wish him well, and advised him, "Be careful about food, start exercising and cut back on work hours," the statement said. The president also reportedly told Sharon that he needs him healthy, and said he hoped to see results of physical exercise and weight loss when the two meet in a couple of months.

Bush told Sharon that he views him as a true partner and courageous leader who displays strong leadership and a vision for peace. Bush said that to win the war on terror together, Sharon must stay out of the hospital.

Also Tuesday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called Sharon and advised him to rest, take care of his health and cut back on his workload, another statement from Sharon's office said.

The 77-year-old premier, shaking hands with his doctors, thanked hospital staff for their "dedicated treatment." He also thanked reporters and citizens, saying "I see you missed me, (I) was touched by concern Israelis have shown over my health," adding "I have to hurry back to work." He spoke clearly and appeared fit.

The medical team that treated the prime minister when he was first brought to the hospital told Ma'ariv that Sharon had been quite confused for most of an hour.

"What was said at the press conference was, to understate, not exact," they said. "The prime minister did not know what day it was, what time is was or where he was. For 45 minutes he could not count or perform basic movements. They [the hospital officials -ed.] are not obligated to disclose everything, but to give inaccurate information is already taking a position [on the matter of the PM's health] and is very problematic. Throughout the first night of his hospitalization the confusion continued, to a lesser extent, and Sharon has not returned to himself completely."

Sharon's doctors have ordered him to lose weight. Yedioth Ahronoth reported that one doctor suggested Sharon take up meditation and Tai Chi as an alternative to weight reduction.

Sharon is to turn 78 in February and is known for having a hearty appetite. A former aide told Army Radio, "The man loves food. It will be hard changing him at his age, but we will do our best."

Sharon refused to answer questions over Binyamin Netanyahu's election as Likud chairman on Sunday evening, but added, smilingly, that "It is now time to return to work, move forward," referring to the name of his Kadima party, which he formed last month after bolting the Likud.

Shortly after his return to his Jerusalem residence, Sharon called Netanyahu to congratulate him on his victory in the Likud primaries. He also thanked his rival in the March elections for his get-well wishes.

Hadassah physicians decided to release Sharon after he underwent a new series of tests, including a CAT scan and MRI, to determine the effects of the stroke he suffered Sunday evening. The stroke, termed a mild cerebral vascular event, "Will not leave behind any damage or any traces," said Dr. Tamir Ben-Hur, chief of the hospital's neurology department.

"There's an excellent chance it won't repeat itself," Ben-Hur said. "After a rest, he can return to full functioning. I want him to rest in the coming days, but he is used to hard work so you can't compare him to anyone else. I think after he rests he will be able to return to normal activity."

A senior aide to Sharon said that it would be several days before he returned to his grueling work schedule. "It might be a few days before he returns to his full work level ... his 20-hour day," Ilan Cohen said. "They say in the next few days he needs to get more rest and return to full capacity gradually."

Ben-Hur said the clot had been caused by a minor malfunction with the heart, which he said is not uncommon among otherwise healthy people. Sharon's condition would be closely monitored after his release from hospital, his doctors said.