Situation at Arafat's Headquarters Dangerous: Palestinian Official

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, September 21, 2002

Situation at Arafat's Headquarters Dangerous: Palestinian Official

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A senior Palestinian official expressed deep concerns Friday over the situation of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, a larger part of which has already been destructed by Israeli army.

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat told reporters that the situation at Arafat's headquarters and in the entire Palestinian territories is "very dangerous."

"Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is now totally destroying the peace process by destructing what has remained for the Palestinian (National) Authority and threatening the life of President Arafat," said Erekat.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a top aide to Arafat, said the Israeli army keeps sending military reinforcements to Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah, which is under a tightened Israeli curfew.

He said there are more than 30 tanks and armored vehicles surrounding Arafat's compound, adding that the Israeli army is closing all exits and entrances leading to Arafat's office in the compound.

He called on Arab countries to form "a firm Arab position against Israeli army aggression, which is continued against the Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership."

Palestinian officials made contacts with Arab leaders and coordinated an appeal to the United Nations Security Council, calling for the discussion of the situation and sanctions on Israel for its continued aggression on the Palestinians.

The escalation around Arafat's compound and the tightened Israeli security measures followed two suicide bombing attacks carried out in Israel on Wednesday and Thursday. At least eight people were killed and more than 60 others wounded after the deadliest kamikaze attack over the two months occurred Thursday afternoon in Tel Aviv.

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