Posted on 10/30/2004 12:28:55 PM PDT by SmithL
RAMALLAH -- The Palestinian leadership held its first meeting since the departure of the ailing Yasser Arafat, putting on a show of unity Saturday to dispel concerns about possible chaos and infighting in Arafat's absence.
The meeting came as doctors in a French hospital continued to treat Arafat for a mysterious illness. A Palestinian diplomat who spoke to Arafat said doctors ruled out leukemia, adding that his condition was improving.
About 1,000 Palestinian students rallied Saturday at An-Najah University in the West Bank city of Nablus, many of them carrying Arafat's portrait.
In Gaza City, about 400 students marched from the downtown Al Azhar University to Arafat's seafront offices, carrying placards bearing his picture and chanting, "God save our beloved President. Great God, save our old man."
Arafat's deputy, Mahmoud Abbas, convened the weekly meeting of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization in Ramallah. It was one of the few sessions of the top PLO policy-making body held over past decades without Arafat presiding.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Now if we can just get them to express their unity in one room...a few well placed 1000lb bombs ought to do the trick.
Behind the scenes they are sharpening their knives, loading their A.K's and strapping on their suicide belts.
Think I'll hold my own Yasser Arafat march, complete with chanting. From here to the bathroom, where I'll "take a Yasser".
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