MIDDLE EAST: ARAFAT POISONED?

Jerusalem Post: Aide alleges Israel poisoned Arafat

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat was poisoned by Israel, one of his advisers said Sunday.

The option is being seriously considered by the PA, which has sent blood samples to the US and Germany to confirm or rule out the option, he said.

Arafat suffers symptoms similar to those of former PFLP military leader Wadi'a Hadad, he said.

Hadad was poisoned in the late 1970s by a close aide who was allegedly recruited by the Mossad, the adviser said, although the official reason for his death was cancer.

"It took Hadad eight weeks to die... he also entered a coma", he said, "Unless they find an antidote, Arafat will die," he added.