Mohammed Dahlan, former security chief in the Gaza Strip and potential successor to Yasser Arafat, has returned to the West Bank, bringing with him a message for Palestinian leaders from Arafat's wife, one of the few people with access to the ailing leader.
Dahlan and Arafat spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh arrived in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to brief officials on the 75 year old's health. They declined to provide details, other than to, again, deny persistent rumors that Arafat was brain dead or on life support. Instead, his medical condition is said to be better than before. On Sunday night, Dahlan met with former Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas who, in turn, confirmed that Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath would leave for Paris on Monday. Arafat first fell ill nearly a month ago with vomiting and diarrhea. A week ago, he was airlifted to France from his West Bank compound in Ramallah. |