Palestinian diplomat in Paris says doctors have ruled out for now that an ailing Yasser Arafat has the blood cancer, leukemia.

Speaking to reporters outside the Percy Army Hospital where the 75-year old Palestinian leader is undergoing tests, Leila Shahid said the doctors are exploring other causes for Mr. Arafat's condition.

On Friday, Mr. Arafat was flown to France for medical tests to diagnose the source of a blood disorder. Experts had speculated that he might be suffering from leukemia due to an abnormally low blood platelet count.

Mr. Arafat has not named a successor or someone to act in his absence. Officials say Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia will run the daily affairs of the Palestinian Authority, and former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas will run the Palestine Liberation Organization.