Yasser Arafat is dead

PARIS, France (CNN) – 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.