Arafat flies out of Jordan for France

AMMAN, Oct 29 (AFP) – Ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat appeared in good spirits as he was flown out of Jordan to Paris aboard a French plane early Friday for medical treatment in France.

The plane took off from Marka military airport in east Amman where a crowd of well wishers, lead by the Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani Mulki, Arab and French diplomats as well as Palestinian officials gathered.

Arafat, 75, who is said to be suffering from a potentially fatal blood disorder, appeared to walk from the helicopter to the plane with some assistance, an AFP correspondent said.

Wearing a dark green military overcoat and a fur hat instead of his trademark chequered keffiyeh headdress, Arafat blew kisses to the waiting throngs at the Amman airport and appeared in good spirits, chatting to officials in the crowd around him.

It is the first time that Arafat has left the Palestinian territories for nearly three years. He has been effectively kept under house arrest at his Ramallah compound known as the Muqataa by Israel troops.

Israel, which has declared Arafat an obstacle to peace, has indicated that it will allow the Palestinian leader to return to Ramallah after treatment in the French capital.