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.

THE ailing Yasser Arafat will be flown to Paris for treatment, one of his doctors said yesterday after the Palestinian leader spent most of the day sleeping, was confused at times and unable to hold down food.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is considering redrawing Israel’s border to place parts of Israel’s Arab population under Palestinian control in a final peace deal, a senior official said today.