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French Findings Say Arafat Was Not Poisoned


French media reports say a team of French scientists has concluded Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat did not die of poisoning in 2004.

The findings contradict Swiss scientific revelations in November that a study of Arafat's remains showed "unexpected high activity" of polonium and that Arafat likely did not die of natural causes.

But a report leaked to French media on Tuesday says the latest findings from a French investigative team show that Arafat died due to a "generalized infection."



Palestinian officials said in November they suspect Israel was behind a plot to kill Arafat. Israeli officials deny the charge.

The French news agency Tuesday quoted an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, as saying the French results were "not a surprise." AFP also quoted a Palestinian Authority spokesman as saying officials need time to study the report before commenting.

Arafat died in November 2004 at age 75 in a French military hospital. His body was exhumed last year amid continuing family claims that he was murdered.
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