JERUSALEM POST: Arafat arrives at military hospital outside Paris

After spending two-and-a-half years confined to his Ramallah compound, ailing Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat was airlifted on Friday morning by a Jordanian military helicopter to Amman, and from there by a French Presidential jet to a military hospital just outside Paris.

The aircraft landed at Villacoublay airbase, south of Paris, just before 2 p.m. Israel time. Arafat was taken to the Hopital d'Instruction des Armees de Percy, a military hospital with a major trauma center, a ministry spokesman said. Christian Estripeau, head of communications for military health services, said Percy, which opened in February 1996, is one of nine military hospitals in France. It has 430 beds and a staff of 1,200, including 110 physicians. Security around the facility was bolstered for the PA Chairman.

Although a military facility, it is open to civilians. "It was the hospital that seemed best suited to the needs of Mr. Arafat," said Estripeau.

UPDATED:
Security at the military hospital has been boosted for this "special" occasion.

UPDATE:
Via CNN, Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei will lead Palestinian Authority during Arafat's absence.

UPDATE:
Via Jerusalem Post:

As he is being treated in a military hospital, Arafat's hospital bill will be paid for by the French government. French Radio reported that Arafat fondly referred to French President Jacque Chirac as "the Doctor – a person to call when you are in trouble."

and:

Justice Minister Yosef Lapid said he believes Arafat's days as a leader are over. "From everything I know, the chance that he will return ... to his previous post, that he will be the key person, the chance is almost non-existent," Lapid said on Army Radio.

Also available via Reuters: Security source says "We believe Arafat`s condition is irreversible and will lead to his disappearance from the political arena."