Chief Palestinian negotiator Mr Saeb Erakat today welcomed a UN Security Council call for Israel not to harm Mr Yasser Arafat, but was sceptical about Israeli Prime Minster Mr Ariel Sharon's readiness to respect it.
"I don't know if Sharon will respect this Security Council declaration since he hasn't respected any resolution to date," Mr Erakat said.
He said the resolution "shows that the international community is aware that Mr Arafat's life is in danger" and that Mr Sharon "is preparing to physically attack him".
In call last night, the Security Council said it was concerned about the "physical well-being" of Mr Arafat and "seriously preoccupied" by the situation inside the Palestinian leader's West Bank compound in Ramallah, circled by Israeli tanks.
The council, after a meeting called by Syria, also warned Israel that no harm should come to Mr Arafat, besieged in his headquarters in the town of Ramallah.
Council members also insisted Israel lift the siege of Mr Arafat's compound and allow him to move freely, said council president Mr Sergei Lavrov, Russian ambassador to the United Nations.
AFP