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.

Senior Palestinian leaders including Ahmed Qureia and Mahmoud Abbas arrived in France tonight in a bid to check on the medical status of Yasser Arafat.

Palestinian leaders flew to France tonight to confront Yasser Arafat’s wife who accused his top lieutenants of seeking to grab control from her ailing husband.

Israel will allow Palestinian police to carry arms, security officials said today, a significant step toward shoring up the prestige of Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia.