Israel will allow Palestinianleader Yasser Arafat to be buried in the West Bank city ofRamallah, despite earlier opposition to the move, the Haaretznewspaper quoted Israeli political sources as saying Tuesdayevening.

The sources said that Israel would not object to Arafat's burialin Ramallah, if the Palestinians request it. Nonetheless,Israel prefers Arafat to be buried in the Gaza Strip, where some ofhis family members' graves are located, due to security concerns.

Senior Palestinian officials Tayeb Abdel Rahim and Saeb Erekatsaid on Tuesday that Arafat will be buried in his Muqataheadquarters in Ramallah, where Arafat had been confined by Israelfor more than two years.

The Palestinians are reportedly planning to make part of theMuqata a mausoleum.

Meanwhile, Israel has insisted that Arafat not be buried at theTemple Mount or in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Abu Dis.

Source: Xinhua