Arafat condemns terror attacks

IN A speech to the Palestinian parliament yesterday, Yasser Arafat condemned terror attacks on Israeli civilians, announced elections for early January and offered — apparently in jest — to give up executive powers.

The rambling speech was the Palestinian leader's first to the legislative council in 18 months. His lower lip quivering, Mr Arafat fumbled repeatedly with the microphones and strayed from the text, launching into asides that were, at times, incomprehensible.

Mr Arafat gave an address that was both conciliatory and packed with accusations against Israel. Israel banned 12 legislators from making the trip from Gaza to the West Bank town of Ramallah, saying they were involved in attacks on Israelis. Other Gazan lawmakers stayed behind and took part by video conference.