Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat, who doctors say may have leukaemia, was conscious and in "good shape" at a French hospital this evening after leaving the West Bank for the first time in more than two years.
The 75-year-old president, who has for decades embodied the struggle with Israel for a Palestinian state, was rushed to the hospital by helicopter after landing at a military airfield southwest of Paris.
He was stretchered inside. "We are very relieved that he was able to travel, that he arrived in good shape and was conscious. I talked to him," said Ms Leila Shahid, the Palestinian Authority's envoy to Paris.
"President Arafat has been suffering from an intestinal flu for at least three weeks, but obviously there is more to it than than," she told reporters at the hospital in the southwestern Paris suburb of Clamart.
Doctors had already begun examining him but would need "several days before (they) can finish all the examinations and arrive at a real diagnosis," she added.
Mr Arafat's wife Suha was at his side in the sleek and modern Percy Army Teaching Hospital, which has a strong reputation for treating blood disorders including cancer.
A dozen sympathisers bearing flowers and Palestinian flags gathered outside the hospital but were unable to see Arafat.
The former guerrilla leader had earlier been taken by helicopter to Jordan from his shell-battered compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where he had been effectively confined by Israeli forces for two and a half years.
Israeli prime minister Mr Ariel Sharon yesterday granted Mr Arafat, who has been under effective house arrest in Ramallah compound, permission go abroad to have treatment. However, he did not indicate that he would be able to return to the Palestinian territories after his treatment.
Mr Arafat's powers have been temporarily passed to two veteran associates - both have served under him as prime minister - until he recovers, officials said today.
But they emphasised that Mr Arafat (75) remained president and no major policymaking was likely while he was ill and undergoing treatment in France.
Prime Minister Mr Ahmed Qurie will run the day-to-day affairs of the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian governing body in areas of the West Bank and Gaza in which limited self-rule was established under interim peace deals with Israel a decade ago.
Former Prime Minister Mr Mahmoud Abbas will run the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), where he is Mr Arafat's number two.
The PLO is responsible for negotiations with Israel and represents Palestinians both at home and in exile. "Of course things will be consulted with him but I think he will resume his responsibilities once he gets back," Palestinian cabinet minister Ms Saeb Erekat told reporters.