Arafat 'opened his eyes'
2004-11-06 14:23
Jerusalem - Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, fighting for his life in a French military hospital, opened his eyes overnight, the website of an Israeli newspaper reported on Saturday, citing Palestinian sources.
Arafat opened his eyes and communicated with his doctors, who were "encouraged", Yediot Aharonot reported on its website, citing an important Palestinian figure who said he had been at Arafat's bedside.
The ailing 75-year-old Palestinian leader was airlifted from his battered West Bank headquarters to France a week ago for urgent treatment of what was initially said to be a serious blood disorder.
Conflicting reports about Arafat's health have emerged in recent days. A French medical source said on Thursday he was brain dead and on life support, but Palestinian officials denied the report on Friday, saying his coma was reversible.
On Friday, General Christian Estripeau, spokesperson for France's military medical service, said Arafat's condition "has not deteriorated".
- AFP