Yasser Arafat tours Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity

Surrounded by black-robed priests, armed guards and journalists, Yasser Arafat today ducked into the candlelit grotto marking the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

The Palestinian leader toured Bethlehem’s ancient Church of the Nativity, which was the scene of a 39-day standoff between Palestinian gunmen and civilians hiding from Israeli soldiers.

For close to an hour, Arafat, walking arm-in-arm with the priests, examined the church compound and the 4th century shrine, divided into Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Franciscan sections.

A few bullet holes dotted some walls, but most of the rubbish left behind by the church’s unexpected visitors was gone.

Israel has accused the Palestinian intruders of desecrating the church.

Arafat’s trip was his first outside of the West Bank town of Ramallah since he was confined there by Israel six months ago.

In Bethlehem, the Palestinian leader entered the basilica through the Gate of Humility, a small dark square entrance facing Manger Square.

Then he descended into the grotto. ‘‘This place will be always and forever inside our hearts, minds and beliefs,’’ Arafat said.

Church bells rang throughout his visit.

Arafat walked through a courtyard where a bullet-scarred statue of the Virgin Mary stood.

Mattresses, pots and chairs were still strewn in the yard. Upstairs, in a medieval cloister ringing the courtyard, Arafat saw some burned out rooms.

Fires erupted twice during the siege, with Israel and the Palestinians accusing each other of having sparked the flames.

Asked by reporters about his impressions of what he saw at the church, Arafat said: ‘‘Real tragedy. This cannot be accepted by the world.’’

The last Palestinians left the church on Friday. Under the deal, 26 of them were sent to the Gaza Strip and 13 others, who Israel says are senior militants, were exiled to Cyprus, from where they are to be taken to several European countries.

At Bethlehem’s municipality, Arafat was met by relatives of those who are in Cyprus, awaiting exile in Europe.

Imaam Abayat, a sister of one of the men, Ibrahim Abayat, called out to Arafat: ‘‘Mr President, for God’s sake don’t forget your brothers who have been exiled outside their country. Please work to keep them together in one country at least.’’

Arafat did not say anything in reply but kissed the woman’s hands.