MIDDLE EAST: Fresh confusion was sown here yesterday by a spate of conflicting statements and rumours about the health of the Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat, who continues to be treated in an intensive care unit in a Paris hospital.
Mr Nabil Abu Rudeina, a close aide of Mr Arafat who accompanied him to France, denied a report that he had suffered liver failure and might be moved to Cairo so he could be closer to the Palestinian territories for burial if he were to die.
In an interview with an Arabic satellite television channel, Mr Abu Rudeina asserted unequivocally: "He has no liver failure." His statement was amplified by Mr Arafat's nephew, Mr Nasser Kidwa, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, who said the President had "no organ failure" although he remained seriously ill. The Palestinian Minister of Labour, Dr Ghassan Khatib, told The Irish Times: "There is no threat to his life."
Nevertheless, some unnamed sources claimed he was unconscious, hooked up to artificial respiration machines, and his condition was "irreversible", while others said he was awake, spoke to his doctors, and his condition was "reversible". One rumour doing the rounds held that his death would be announced tomorrow, the Muslim holiday of Laila al-Qader, the night when the Prophet Muhammad began to receive the Koranic revelations, and that the funeral would be on Wednesday.
But this was dismissed by officials. Dr Khatib said the situation "could go on for some time yet".
As rumours multiplied, the Palestinian leadership gathered at the presidential compound in Ramallah for endless rounds of meetings. The only person to speak about the deliberations, Dr Saeb Erekat, the chief negotiator, said the Palestinian National Security Council had decided to "implement a plan to restore the rule of law in the Palestinian territories".
Under the plan, drafted last March, additional police would be deployed and militants would be barred from intervening in local disputes and from carrying weapons unless confronting Israeli troops invading Palestinian areas. Officials said the plan was designed to combat criminal elements rather than to rein in militants involved in the four year old Intifada, or rising.
On Saturday the Prime Minister, Mr Ahmad Korei, met in Gaza with representatives of security agencies and armed factions and legislators with the aim of promoting national unity and securing a ceasefire between the resistance and Israel. This was the second meeting Mr Korei had with militants since Thursday.
Following four hours of discussions, the Islamic Hamas movement, the largest and most influential of the factions, appeared to take a lead. Its spokesman, Mr Ismail Haniya, said: "We will not allow any chaos or disunity to occur, and the best way to realise this goal is by forming a united national leadership that would lead the Palestinian people to a [ safe] shore and prepare for elections in which all Palestinians would participate."
He called for the formation of a "collective leadership" including all factions, a demand Mr Arafat repeatedly rejected.
Palestinian observers believe that the weak figures now in charge will not be able to turn down this call, but warn that any reconfiguration of the Palestinian Authority must be in accordance with the basic law and not involve major structural changes.
Mr Haniya's line on elections is strongly supported by liberal reformists and leftists. Dr Ziad Abu Amr, a lawmaker from Gaza, said elections were essential if the Palestinians were to have a legitimate government capable of carrying out needed reforms and negotiating with Israel.
Dr Mustafa Barghouti, a legislator from Ramallah, revealed that yesterday, "All factions met to discuss the formation of a national government and the holding of elections. The factions will meet again on Tuesday with the executive committee of the PLO [ Palestinian Liberation Organisation] to discuss [ these matters]. There is agreement on the national government. The most important thing is to prepare for elections. We need the help of the international community for that."
Palestinian leaders are to fly to Paris to consult doctors about Mr Arafat's condition, a senior official said last night.
Foreign Minister Mr Nabil Shaath said he would leave today for Paris with Mr Korei or Mr Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Arafat's deputy in the PLO - or possibly both of them.