Malaysia seeks immediate lifting of Israeli siege on Arafat

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Malaysia renewed its call today for an immediate lifting of a week-old Israeli siege on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat amid mounting concerns for his health.

"We hope the siege on Arafat will be lifted immediately. I think the UN Security Council must make sure that Israel conforms to UN resolutions," Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters.

"Israel cannot continue to ignore international laws. There cannot be two international laws, one for Israel and one for the rest of the world. A Palestine state should be formed."

Resolution brushed aside

Israel says it will only lift the siege when Arafat hands over some 20 wanted men among the 250 crammed into his last remaining office building, and has brushed aside a UN resolution and US rebukes to pursue its goal.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned Tuesday that death or injury to Arafat, 73, during the siege could turn him into a martyr and spark "a great deal of anger" among the world's Muslims.

He said he had written to French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and US President George W. Bush asking them to pressure Israel into lifting the encirclement of Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah.

Great deal of anger

"My worry is that if anything happens to Arafat, he would become a martyr. And if that happens, that is going to cause a great deal of anger within the Muslim community throughout the world, not just the Palestinians," he said.

"And there probably will be more recruits for terrorist activities. That is why it is important that there should be no accident which may cause injury or even death to President Arafat." AFP



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