Special reports: Arafat's health

   Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei (4th L) presides over a Palestinian Security Committee meeting while Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's chair remains vacant at Arafat¡¯s headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Oct. 31, 2004. (Xinhua Photo/Gao Xueyu)

    Mahmoud Abbas (L), secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee, is interviewed after presiding over a meeting of Arafat's Fatah movement central committee at Arafat¡¯s headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Oct. 31, 2004. (Xinhua Photo/Gao Xueyu)

    RAMALLAH, Oct. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian Prime Minister AhmedQurei said Sunday that leader Yasser Arafat now in Paris for medical treatment is in good health.

    He made the remarks at a meeting of the Palestinian NationalSecurity Council in an explicit effort to demonstrate that Arafat's ailment has not compromised the ability of Palestinian institutions' function.

    The prime minister told reporters after the meeting "this situation requires us to control and overcome all obstacles and difficulties ahead."

    According to a member of the council, the meeting discussed reforms and ways to rein in anarchy.

    Palestinian Negotiation Minister Saeb Erekat said before the meeting "at the moment, our thoughts and prayers are with President Arafat for his speedy recovery."

    "At the same time, we have Palestinian institutions that areable to run the daily affairs of the Palestinian people," he added.Arafat, 75, was airlifted to a French army hospital Friday from his shell-battered compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah in sharply deteriorating health.

    French doctors were checking Arafat for viral infection after tests ruled out leukaemia and any other life-threatening illness,aides to the Palestinian leader said Sunday. Enditem

    Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath receives interview after the meeting of Palestinian Security Committee in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Oct. 31, 2004. Shaath denied on Sunday that Mahmoud Abbas or Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei would replace Arafat during his medical treatment in Paris. (Xinhua Photo/Gao Xueyu)