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RAMALLAH, West Bank -- (AP) -- A Palestinian official says a three-man committee has been formed to run Palestinian affairs during Yasser Arafat's illness.

AP-ES-10-27-04 1844EDT

Arafat's health deteriorates and leader is in "very difficult situation," official says

By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH
Associated Press Writer

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- (AP) -- Yasser Arafat collapsed Wednesday evening, was unconscious for about 10 minutes and remained in ''very difficult situation," Palestinian officials said. A team of Jordanian doctors was urgently summoned to treat the ailing Palestinian leader.

Scores of top Palestinian officials descended on Arafat's Ramallah compound Wednesday night, and Israeli security officials said his wife, Suha, who lives in France, was expected to arrive Thursday.


Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat donates blood at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in this Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001 file photo. Yasser Arafat's health worsened Wednesday Oct. 27, 2004 and a team of doctors went to his compound to examine the Palestinian leader, according to a Palestinian official close to Arafat. Arafat had been ill over the past two weeks, suffering from what Palestinian officials said was a lengthy bout of the flu. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Arafat had been eating soup during a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and official Yasser Abed Rabbo between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. when he vomited, according to a bodyguard who was in the compound at the time.

Arafat was brought to the clinic inside the compound, where he collapsed and was unconscious for about 10 minutes, the guard said. His doctors were urgently summoned.



A view of Yasser Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah Wednesday Oct. 27, 2004. Arafat's health worsened Wednesday and a team of doctors went to his compound to examine the Palestinian leader, according to a Palestinian official close to Arafat. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

AP-ES-10-27-04 1802EDT

ALERT - Arafat

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RAMALLAH, West Bank -- (AP) -- Israeli officials say Yasser Arafat's wife, Suha, is coming to Ramallah on Thursday.

AP-ES-10-27-04 1730EDT

ALERT - Arafat

#86380 BULLETINS APNEWSALERT BULLETIN APD0604 NEWS LIVE 10/27 17:25 .83
BC-ME-GEN--APNewsAlert

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- (AP) -- Senior Palestinian official says Yasser Arafat is in "serious condition."

AP-ES-10-27-04 1725EDT

ALERT Arafat

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RAMALLAH, West Bank -- (AP) -- A Palestinian official says Yasser Arafat's health has worsened and doctors have gone to his compound.

AP-ES-10-27-04 1602EDT