Arafat in France, docs suspect leukaemia

‘‘We are very relieved that he was able to travel, that he arrived in good shape and was conscious. I talked to him,’’ said Leila Shahid, the Palestinian Authority’s envoy to Paris.

Doctors had begun examining him but would need ‘‘several days before (they) can finish all the examinations and arrive at a real diagnosis,’’ she added.

Arafat’s wife Suha was at his side in the sleek and modern Percy Army Teaching Hospital, which has a strong reputation for treating blood disorders including cancer.

In Washington, the State Department released a transcript of an interview by Colin Powell with Egyptian television, in which the US Secretary of State said he was ‘‘pleased that (Arafat) is now in a sophisticated medical facility where his health condition can be more carefully assessed.’’

A senior Palestinian official said Arafat was believed to be suffering from leukaemia, a blood cancer that can be fatal, though more tests were needed for a firm diagnosis.

Arafat agreed to go to France after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, his long-time foe, said he would let him return to the West Bank. ‘‘We assessed Arafat’s condition is irreversible and that it will eventually lead one way or the other to his disapparance from the political arena,’’ said an Israeli security source. ‘‘That assessment led Sharon to decide to allow him to comeback if doctors recommended, in the calculation that this scenario would probably never arise.’’

Meanwhile, Arafat’s powers have been temporarily passed to two veteran associates—both have served under him as Prime Minister—until he recovers or dies, officials said on Friday.

Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie will run the day-to-day affairs of the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian governing body in areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said former PM Mahmoud Abbas would head the PLO until Arafat returned.