A senior Palestinian official called on Thursday upon the Palestinians to show self-control, patience, steadfastness and national unity in the absence of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Tayeb Abdel Rahim, Arafat's bureau chief, made the call in a statement to reporters here following reports that Arafat's health deteriorated.

"We call upon our people to stop listening and following rumors published by the media about President Arafat's health," said AbdelRahim, adding that "all of us should pray for his quick recovery."

"All reports that President Arafat in clinical death are untrue and not accurate," said Abdel Rahim, adding that "the Palestinian leadership is following in concerns and moment after moment the situation."

He said the Palestinian officials were in direct contact with French doctors and the medical team as well as with the officials who were accompanying Arafat in France.

The official said all leading Palestinian corporations and institutions would be in open-ended meetings.

"We would brief our people on every development concerning the president's health," he added.

Source: Xinhua