Israel cabinet moves to exile Arafat

ISRAEL'S security cabinet agreed in principle on Thursday to exile Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, but not immediately, sources close to the government said.

One source said the security cabinet decided to ask the army to prepare a plan for Arafat's exile from the region but decided against swift expulsion because of US opposition. A senior Palestinian official denounced Israel's decision, saying exiling Arafat would destabilise the Mideast.

"Harming Arafat or expelling him will destabilise the region and will only bring disaster to the Israeli people," the official said. The US also opposed expelling Arafat, but for different reasons, saying it would give him greater publicity.