Arafat to challenge Bush by seeking re-election

Yasser Arafat will run for re-election, snubbing a call from President Bush for a new Palestinian leadership as part of a deal for provisional statehood.

Planning Minister Nabil Shaath said ailing Arafat, suspected of suffering from Parkinsons disease, had told him directly he would run again. Yes, absolutely,’’ Shaath said in London today.