Arafat is still receiving treatment in an intensive care unit at the hospital in Clamart outside Paris and "his condition is stable", according to the chief surgeon of the military health department, Christain Estripeau.

"President Arafat's medical condition forces us to restrict visits to him," said Estripeau, who read a statement to reporters in front of the hospital, the first such statement since Friday.

"The present statement has been made with respect for the discretion demanded by Mrs Arafat, his wife," he said.

Four of Arafat's top lieutenants, prime minister Ahmed Qorei, acting Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) chief Mahmud Abbas, foreign minister Nabil Shaath, and parliament speaker Rawhi Fattuh were expected in Paris later Monday to visit the ailing Palestinian leader.

They had earlier shelved the visit after Arafat's wife, Suha Arafat, accused them of trying to "bury him alive".

Arafat, 75, has been hospitalised near Paris since October 29.

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