Arafat Seriously Ill, Successor Sought, Israeli TV Says

Israeli television reported Friday that Yasser Arafat suffers from a serious illness and that a search for a successor has begun. But people close to Arafat denied the report, saying the 68-year-old is in good health.

Israel TV’s Channel 2, citing Western intelligence sources, said Arafat’s illness affected his muscle control, but not his mental condition. The television rebroadcast segments from an interview with Arafat conducted last week in which the Palestinian leader’s lower lip quivered uncontrollably.

The tremor is only one of the symptoms of his illness, reporter Yoram Binur said. He would not say what illness Arafat allegedly suffers from.

On Friday morning, Arafat posed for TV cameras, strolling on a beach, Binur said, adding that the photo opportunity was arranged to show that Arafat was healthy. In the footage, Arafat’s face was calm and he strode briskly, surrounded by bodyguards.

Arafat was in Cairo when Friday evening’s report was broadcast.