Ariel Sharon's tenure as Israel's prime minister came to a symbolic end today at a cabinet meeting that formally designated Ehud Olmert to replace the comatose stroke victim.
Under Israeli law, Mr Sharon will be categorised as permanently incapacitated and unable to serve as prime minister on Friday, 100 days after suffering his stroke.
Mr Olmert, deputy prime minister when Mr Sharon fell ill in January, was named interim prime minister at the time.
At a special session, the cabinet voted unanimously to designate Mr Olmert acting prime minister, an appointment that Cabinet Secretary Yisrael Maimon said would take effect on Friday. The title change will not alter his powers of office.
"It is a difficult and sad day for all of us," Mr Maimon said during a portion of the meeting that was open to the media. "We never thought this moment would arrive."
As leader of the centrist Kadima party that Mr Sharon founded last November, Mr Olmert is trying to form a coalition government following Israel's March 28th parliamentary election. Kadima came in first place in the ballot.
Mr Sharon (78) never regained consciousness after his brain haemorrhage. The former general is expected to be moved soon to a long-term care facility, or back home to his ranch in southern Israel under medical supervision.