The Israeli army on Thursday slammed a total security clampdown on the West Bank over fears of attacks following the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, military radio reported.

Palestinian authorities announced forty days of mourning after a Percy military hospital spokesman announced Yasser Arafat died at 3:30 am Paris time on Thursday.

For about a week of speculations about the health condition of the Palestinian leader, Palestinian authorities were reluctant to shed more light on whether Arafat was dead or alive claiming that doctors from the Paris hospital would announce his death.

His body will be transported to Egyptian capital Cairo for a state funeral attended by Arab leaders and other guests and then Yasser Arafat will be buried outside his compound in Ramallah, Chief Negotiator Saab Erakat said.

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