Arafat's apology not to take part at Laya Rabin's funeral

The Israeli Hebrew- language radio has quoted a source close to the chairman of the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat as saying that Arafat will not take part in the funeral of Laya Rabin who died on Sunday, but he will arrive in Israel later to offer condolences for Rabin's family at their residence in Tel Aviv.

The radio did not set a date for offering the condolences by Arafat.

Meantime, acting prime minister for the Israeli government Benjamin Bin Eleazer, who is also the minister of telecommunications in Israel said that Israel has permitted Arafat to take part, personally at Laya Rabin's funeral, the widow of the former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. The funeral will be held tomorrow ( Wednesday).

In an interview with the Hebrew language Israeli radio on Monday, Bin Aleazer added he finds no reason prevents Arafat from taking part in this occasion. He added he gave his instructions to permit Arafat to come to Israel and participate in the funeral if he wishes to do so.