Confusion surrounds the exact state of health of the ailing Palestinian president. His aides have now said he is in a reversible coma and have denied earlier speculation that he is on life support and brain dead.

Yasser Arafat is being treated at an intensive care unit at a military hospital in France. His supporters have been holding a vigil outside the hospital outside Paris. There have been conflicting rumours as to Arafat’s exact condition. At one point yesterday there were even reports the 75 year old was dead. What is known is that he suffering from a blood disorder, that he has a low count of blood platelets which are needed for clotting, but doctors cannot explain exactly why that is happening. Arafat was evacuated from his Ramallah headquarters a week ago after suffering severe stomach pains. On Wednesday his condition took a serious turn for the worse.

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