Palestinian president Yasser Arafat was in serious, but stable condition as of Thursday morning, after his condition deteriorated Wednesday evening, officials in Arafat's office said.
Arafat, 75, lost consciousness Wednesday night. A team of Jordanian doctors, led by his personal neurologist, Ashraf Kurdi, was urgently summoned to join the Tunisian and Jordanian doctors already treating him. At Egypt's request, a team of Egyptian doctors also departed for Ramallah on Wednesday.
An official in Arafat's office said the Palestinian leader had created a special committee of three senior officials, including Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, to run Palestinian affairs during the 75-year-old leader's continuing illness. Other Palestinian officials, including his spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh, denied a temporary leadership group was formed.
According to the reports, Arafat named Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, former premier Mahmoud Abbas - who is also secretary-general of the PLO's executive committee - and parliament speaker Salim al-Zaanoun to the committee. On his part, spokesman Abu Rdeneh said: "Nothing like that," when asked if Arafat had set up a temporary leadership.
"The situation is stable now, he is in stable condition, but he needs more rest and more medical care," added Abu Rudeineh.
Palestinian cabinet minister Azzam al-Ahmad confirmed early Thursday that Arafat is in stable condition, but that there is no improvement. "He was joking with us. He needs more medication and tests." (albawaba.com)
