Arafat outraged as Syria cancels his visit
|
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Tuesday, September 25, 2001
AMMAN Ñ Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat cancelled his
visit to Syria on Tuesday, Syrian sources reported from Damascus. No reason
was given.
"The visit has been postponed," a Syrian information ministry official
said.
On Monday Arafat stopped over in Amman for talks with Jordanian leaders
on his way to Damascus. Jordanian sources confirmed that on Tuesday Arafat
and his entourage arrived at Amman's airport en route to Damascus but didn't
board the flight.
Palestinian sources in Amman said Damascus cancelled the
visit and it will not be rescheduled in the near future. The sources added
that Arafat was furious with Syria for cancelling the visit.
This is the second time Arafat postponed his landmark visit to Syria. On
September 12, Arafat called off the visit one day after the terror attacks
in New York and Washington.
Arafat has returned to Gaza.
In Gaza, Palestinians fired on Israeli troops near the Jewish settlement
of Nahal Oz and near Rafiah. No injuries were reported.
Four Palestinians were injured near the West Bank city of Hebron after
Israeli troops opened fire on their car after they failed to stop at a check
point.
|