(Guardian-UK) - A close aide to Arafat said he had suffered a heart attack last week. "Although he has had a slight heart attack, the doctors say he will make a full recovery. He is in full control. There is nothing to worry about," said the Palestinian official. At the beginning of last week, Arafat was visited by his personal physician from Jordan, Dr. Ashraf al-Kurdi, and a heart specialist, Yousuf al-Qusous. If Arafat requires medical treatment that is not available in Ramallah, he would be likely to travel to Egypt or Jordan but only if Israel permits him to return to the West Bank. Israeli foreign ministry official Jonathan Peled said the government would be happy to see Arafat leave but was unlikely to allow him to return.
2003-10-08 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive