Top Islamic Cleric at Arafat's Bedside

[Khephra]

CLAMART, France -- A top Islamic cleric rushed from the West Bank to Yasser Arafat's hospital bedside Wednesday in what an aide to the Palestinian leader called the "final phase" of his life.

"I'm here to be by my long time friend's side in his time of need and to pray for his speedy recovery," the cleric, Taisser Bayoud Tamimi, told The Associated Press by phone shortly before arriving at the hospital.

"It's absolutely rejected," he shouted outside the hospital when asked by reporters if the life support would be turned off, saying it would remain on as long as there were signs of life.

But aides said Arafat's health was deteriorating, with a "complication" to his vital organs as doctors struggle to stop the bleeding in his brain.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top11nov10,0,636031.story?coll=sns-ap-topnews

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Arafat is gone

He has a brain bleed they can't stop? Arafat is dead. The body's continued functioning is a mere formality.

They will keep his body alive until they can decide who will take over from him.

--bkl