Ariel Sharon: Former Prime Minister of Israel Dies

Ariel Sharon died at the age of 85 due to complications from a stoke, which took place some eight years ago. Sharon's son Gilad Sharon announced the death news on Saturday afternoon.

Sharon has been a gigantic and also controversial iconic leader of Israel for about half of a century.


In 1948, Ariel Sharon or "Arik" led Israeli troops against in many wars against Arab armies. He acted as a military leader until his stroke almost 60 years later.

In 1982, Sharon became the  defense minister of Israel - the time when his country attacked Lebanon in an effort to overthrow Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).