Sharon: a Question for the World

I will be very interested to see how the world reacts to the passing of Ariel Sharon. I know he's not dead yet...but he's awfully close, and it got me thinking. With the brouhaha that erupted following the death of a known terrorist (Arafat) and the ridiculous claims that he was some sort of great humanitarian, I wonder what they will do if and when one of the most effective leaders in the Middle East passes on. Arafat, when he wasn't commiting/leading/sanctioning acts of terrorism was pretty much useless. Sharon has actually taken steps, unpopular to his own people, to try and bring some peace. What will the world say I wonder.