Yasser Arafat Dead

Yasser Arafat “dead” – Palestinian sources say (Reuters)

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is dead, senior Palestinian political sources said on Tuesday.

The information from sources close to Arafat could not immediately be confirmed.

“He is dead,” one of the sources close to Arafat said in Paris, where Arafat has been lying in a coma at a French hospital. Officials in the West Bank said they had not been informed that Arafat was dead.

Finally.

Update (0925): Of course, reports of Arafat’s death have been trickling out all week.

The most amusing:

The most obvious:

Regardless, one thing is for sure: Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.

Update (0948): Arafat Is Not Dead-French Military Source

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is not dead, a source close to the health services of the French military said on Tuesday. “Mr. Arafat is not dead,” said the source following reports that Arafat had died at a French military hospital. The source said a statement on Arafat’s health given earlier on Tuesday by the chief doctor at the French military hospital treating Arafat was still valid. The statement said Arafat’s condition had worsened overnight and that he was in a coma.

Now, this is a tough one: Do you believe Reuters or the French military?

Update (1249): Arafat Critical; Vital Organs Functioning (AP)

Yasser Arafat’s condition deteriorated dramatically overnight as his coma deepened, but the Palestinian foreign minister said Tuesday he is “still alive” and his brain, heart and lungs are working. Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said the 75-year-old Arafat was in critical condition. Shaath spoke after top Palestinian officials went to the hospital outside Paris where Arafat has been for nearly two weeks.

At a news conference in Paris, Shaath said the Palestinian leadership wanted to end rumors and speculation about Arafat’s health. Media reports have speculated that Arafat had either died or was brain dead. Shaath, referring to reports that Arafat might be removed from life support, said the possibility of euthanasia has been “ruled out.”

Pull the plug, already.

Update (11-11): It’s official. Palestinian Terrorist Yasser Arafat Dies at 75

FILED UNDER: Terrorism, , , , , , , , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Tig says:

    Any word on how many clones they were able to create?

  2. Jeff Quinton says:

    The latest I’ve heard is life support to be disconnected by around noon eastern. Updated my initial post to reflect that.

  3. Rodney Dill says:

    Stick a fork in him, he’s done.

  4. McGehee says:

    They’re just delaying the announcement because they know I have a clever post title all ready for the news.

  5. McGehee says:

    Stick a fork in him, he’s done.

    And then ship the fork to Yucca Flats. Ew.

  6. Rodney Dill says:

    I have a clever post title all ready for the news.

    Clever? now that is news.

    😉

  7. McGehee says:

    :-p

  8. Lee says:

    First Derrida, now Arafat.

  9. Tony Iovino says:

    Do you think the Verizon guy is standing next to Arafat’s bed, repeating endlessly:
    “Can you hear me now?”
    “Can you hear me now?”
    “Can you hear me now?”
    “Can you hear me now?”

  10. Todd says:

    “Naw, Naw. He’s not dead! He’s, ah, pining for the fjords!”