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Extremely conflicting information is emerging not only about the health of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, but also about the place where he may be buried. Israeli authorities agreed that Arafat should be buried at his Muqata residence in Ramallah. A message immediately came from the official representative of Egypt. He claims that the funeral will take place in Cairo. At the same time, the chairman of the Sharia Court of the Palestinian Territories, Sheikh Taysir el-Tamimi, said that Islamic law prohibits turning off the equipment that supports Yasser Arafat’s vital functions. Currently, the sheikh is in the Percy hospital near Paris. Senior Palestinian officials deny reports that he could make the decision to remove Arafat from the ventilator. Medical sources say the Palestinian leader's brain and lungs continue to function.
The operation being carried out by US troops and Iraqi government forces in Fallujah could take several more days. This was stated by American General Thomas Metz, responsible for the operation. The Americans hold the city center, but it is not easy for them. During Tuesday there were battles for every street, for every house. The calm came only late at night. At least 10 US Marines were killed during the assault on Fallujah. This figure has been mentioned by Pentagon representatives over the past few hours. The number of killed militants is in the dozens.
In the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, clashes between demonstrators and the French military continue. Fearing the aggressive intentions of the demonstrators, who demand the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country, French soldiers opened fire. Seven civilians and one Ivorian soldier were killed as local soldiers tried to contain the crowd. Another crisis in Cote d'Ivoire occurs against the backdrop of the ongoing civil war in the country.