Palestinian leaders visit Arafat

cctv.com 11-09-2004 16:50

Senior Palestinian leaders have arrived in Paris to visit Yasser Arafat. This, despite a scathing attack by the ailing president's wife, who accused officials of plotting to take power while he's still alive. Meanwhile, the chief doctor at the French military hospital where he's being treated said visits to Arafat have now been restricted.

The group of senior Palestinian officials arrived in Paris late on Monday. They are here to visit their seriously-ill President Yasser Arafat.

Nabil Abu Rdainahn, a senior aide,said:"Tonight they arrived and tomorrow they will see the French officials and they will visit President Arafat in his hospital."

Question:"Are there any problems in receiving Arafat, especially since the situation with his wife?

"No there is no problem at all,"Nabil Abu rdainajn replied.

But it's not as simple as that. The doctor treating Arafat says his current condition will not allow him to see many visitors.

Christian Estripeau, Chief Doctor of Percy Hospital said,"His state of health has now become worrying and it was necessary to transfer him into the intensive care unit. He is still there and in stable condition. But the medical condition of President Arafat has made us restrict his visits."

Doctors still haven't given a clear indication of what's behind Arafat's illness.

Earlier on Sunday, a Palestinian official who declined to be named said Arafat is suffering from liver failure. He mentioned that the Palestinian leaders might have to move Arafat to Cairo for further treatment.

Their visit had already been delayed due to sharp conflicts with Arafat's wife. She accused the visitors of being desperate to succeed Arafat and plotting to stop his life support system.

Editor:Liu  Source:CCTV.com