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Last Updated: Friday, November 12th, 2004 HOME | Previous Page -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palestine gets interim president as Arafat dies � Obasanjo, Bush, others express condolence By Felix Ofou Onche Odeh (Lagos) and Chesa Chesa (Abuja) Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was confirmed dead early Thursday at a Paris military hospital at the age of 75 after days of speculation about his state of health. Speaker of the Palestinian Parliament Rawhi Fattuh was promptly sworn in as the Palestinian Authority's Interim President, while former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has been elected head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to replace Arafat. Arafat died at 3:30 a.m. (0230 GMT), according to a hospital spokesman. But Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, confirmed Arafat's death Thursday morning, noting that "the last two days were very painful, very difficult and now, after these painful days of President Arafat, he is dead�. Arafat's medical condition began to deteriorate in late October, and he was flown to Paris on October 29 for medical treatment and tests. World leaders took turns on Thursday to condole with the Palestinians over the death. President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed the sadness of the people and government of Nigeria. He noted the emergence of Arafat as the symbol of Palestinian�s valiant struggle for an independent homeland and urged them to take solace in the memory of his dedication and commitment to the service of his people. Other leaders who also expressed their condolences included Thabo Mbeki (South Africa), George W. Bush (U.S.), Vladimir Putin (Russia), Tony Blair (UK), Junichun Kopizumu (Japan), Moshe Katsau (Israel) and UN Secretary General Koffi Annan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright© 2004. All Rights Reserved. Independent Newspapers Limited Block5, Plot 7D, Wempco Road, Ogba, P.M.B. 21777, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. www.independentng.com e-mail: [email protected] Designed By Powered By DNet.

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