Yasser Arafat has lapsed into a coma, a senior Palestinian official said today after the ailing leader was rushed into intensive care at a French military hospital following a sharp deterioration in his health.

Yasser Arafat has lost consciousness repeatedly in recent hours after being rushed into intensive care at a French military hospital, Palestinians said today. They described his condition as extremely serious.

Fears for Yasser Arafat’s health grew today after a hospital admitted his illness was more than just flu and Israeli officials speculated he has cancer.