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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.

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