Israel declares end to Sharon rule

The announcement was made at a cabinet meeting which saw his deputy and recent election winner Ehud Olmert -- handed the reins of power after Sharon's massive stroke on January 4 -- confirmed in the post of acting prime minister.

Olmert is currently putting together a new coalition government which will be tasked with setting the final borders of the Jewish state by pulling tens of thousands of settlers out of the occupied West Bank in a follow-up to Sharon's decision to uproot Jews from the Gaza Strip last summer.

The change in status will only actually come into effect on April 14, at the end of a 100-day period laid down by law.

The government decision was moved forward due to the week-long Jewish Passover holiday which starts Wednesday.

After ministers unanimously approved the move, Olmert said he hoped that his own status as acting premier would not last long.