Arafat refuses to list occupants of besieged base

YASSER ARAFAT yesterday ejected Israel's demand that he provide a list of everyone holed up with him in his besieged office, a Palestinian negotiator said.

The diplomat was speaking after meeting Israeli officials in the first face-to-face contact in the five-day stand-off. After the talks, Israel eased Mr Arafat's isolation for the first time by allowing two Palestinian negotiators to brief him.

The meeting came a day after Israel halted the demolition of Mr Arafat's headquarters, reportedly amid intense US pressure. But Israeli troops maintained their siege of Mr Arafat's office the only building left standing where he is holed up with about 200 aides and security guards.