Ailing Arafat will be flown to Paris for treatment

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.

An evacuation by helicopter would mark the first time in nearly three years Mr Arafat leaves the battered compound to which he was confined by Israel.

Israel announced it would permit Mr Arafat to go abroad and return, in effect lifting its travel ban imposed in 2002.