Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney told donors that Palestinians “have no interest” in peace with Israel and suggested that efforts at Mideast peace under his administration would languish, according to comments captured on newly released video of his private remarks to wealthy donors.

Having ruled out leukaemia, French doctors were trying for a third day to determine what was causing the dramatic deterioration in Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s health.

BACKING down in the face of violent protests, Yasser Arafat asked the ousted Palestinian chief of security to return to his job yesterday, placing him in command of his cousin, Palestinian officials said.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia refused to withdraw his resignation letter today, and called on Yasser Arafat to “appoint the right men to the right posts” in the security branches.

Backing down in the face of widespread protests, Yasser Arafat replaced his cousin as Palestinian security chief today and asked the former chief to return to his job.