YASSER ARAFAT’S wife yesterday accused his top lieutenants of seeking to grab control from her ailing husband, nearly torpedoing a visit by top Palestinian officials in the first sign of an open power struggle.

The caretaker Palestinian leadership decided today to travel to Yasser Arafat’s bedside, reversing a decision to call off the trip after being lambasted by the ailing 75-year-old leader’s wife.

Palestinian leaders abruptly called off a visit to Yasser Arafat's bedside today, after the ailing leader's wife accused them of trying to depose her husband.

PALESTINIANS feared on Thursday that their ailing leader Yasser Arafat was near death and they could face a chaotic and possibly bloody power struggle if he goes.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat flew to Paris for treatment of a serious illness today, breaking free from nearly three years of Israeli-imposed confinement at his battered compound, but leaving behind a people in disarray.

Israel took a giant step towards expelling Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, but then delayed carrying out its decision, in the wake of stiff opposition from the United States.