Arafat in coma

However, this has been strongly denied by officials in the West Bank.

Mr Arafat’s condition has reportedly worsened significantly in the last 24 hours and a delegation from the West Bank postponed a trip to see him.

The 75-year-old leader has lost consciousness several times in recent hours and suffered bouts of vomiting.

The veteran leader was flown to a military hospital in Paris last week.