PARIS, France (CNN) â Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, 75, the leader who passionately sought a homeland for his people but was seen by many Israelis as a ruthless terrorist and a roadblock to peace, died at 3:30 a.m. Thursday, in Paris. {{more}}
Arafat had been sick with an unknown illness that had been variously described as the flu, a stomach virus or gallstones. He flew to Paris nearly two weeks ago seeking medical treatment and was hospitalized. He had been on a respirator since slipping into a coma November 3.
Arafat’s body will be taken from France to Cairo, where the Egyptian government will host a state funeral for him, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said.
He will be buried outside the Palestinian Authority headquarters compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
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