THE WAITING GAME

This morning's edition of the Israeli newspaper Haartez profiles the tent city outside the Hadassah Hospital that has become home for those of us who are on 24-hour Ariel Sharon death watch.

On Thursday, the press encampment consisted of just a few satellite trucks and TV live positions.

But over the days more and more crews have arrived from around the world. We've added tents, plastic sheeting, heaters, kettles, even bedding, to protect us from the cold and damp Jerusalem nights.

Our temporary refugee camp is beginning to look more and more permanent.

No-one expected the Israeli Prime Minister to survive this long and there's an element of Groundhog Day about our daily routine.

Mr Sharon's continuing critical condition means we can't leave. But the lack of developments mean the editors back in London are getting bored with endless two-ways reporting "no change" -- so we're slowly slipping down the programme running orders.

And so the waiting game continues.