JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Top Israeli security officials were meeting on Thursday to discuss Arafat's deteriorating health and how his possible death would affect the Middle East.

    The security officials, including Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Army Chief Moshe Ya'alon, were to focus on reports that Arafat's health had taken a sudden turn for the worse, said Israeli sources.

    Arafat was reportedly rushed to intensive care late on Wednesday at a French hospital outside Paris, where he is receiving treatment.

    Hospital officials had planned to release a statement on Arafat's condition Thursday morning, but the news conference was abruptly postponed.

    Israel Army Radio said that Arafat lost consciousness several times Wednesday night, and by Thursday morning was comatose. Meanwhile, former Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his planned trip to Paris, after he was told he could not talk to the veteran leader, added the Radio.

    However, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat denied the Israeli reports that Arafat's organ systems had begun to fail, slamming the reports as "unfounded."

    He said that Arafat's condition was "stable and serious," andthat the latest blood tests and CT scans conducted Wednesday night and Thursday morning were encouraging.

    On Wednesday, one of his aids said that Arafat felt well enough to ask about the US presidential election and congratulated George W. Bush on his re-election. Enditem