Arafat condition 'extremely serious' after he loses consciousness

Yasser Arafat has lost consciousness repeatedly in recent hours after he was rushed into intensive care at a French military hospital, Palestinians said today. They described his condition as extremely serious.

The officials said they could not immediately confirm French media reports that the 75-year-old Palestinian leader had lapsed into a coma. French hospital and military officials said they could not comment on the ailing leader’s health.