Arafat arrives in Portugal

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat headed today to Portugal to fulfill an official invitation from the Portuguese president, part of an European tour to discuss the stumbled peace process between Israel and Palestine.

Palestinian sources said Arafat will hold talks with Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio and Prime Minister Antonio Guterres regarding Middle East and bilateral issues.

The sources added that, "The Palestinian president is starting an European tour in order to assure the continuation of the European Union's support for the Palestinian stance."