The US and EU consider sending minor-in-rank representatives at a prospective funeral of Palestine President Yasser Arafat, according to media sources.

Yasser Arafat is reportedly slipping into and out of coma cementing speculations globally that he has died or his life is being supported artificially by medical appliances.

A senior Palestinian official said on Tuesday that if Arafat dies, all arrangements of funeral, burial, mourning and condolences would take place at al Muqataa, Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah.

Al-Muqataa is a symbol of the Palestinian steadfastness, as the Israeli siege on Arafat has been imposed at that place.

Tayeb Abdel Rahim, Arafat's office chief, also called for patience and self-control among Palestinian people and called upon them to pray and fast for Arafat "at this critical situation".

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Tuesday that his country was willing to work with whatever leaders Palestinians choose in the event of Yasser Arafat's death.

Egypt has contacted Palestinian authorities offering that the homage ceremony ahead of Arafat's funeral is organised in Cairo. The reply was reportedly postponed for later, probably on Wednesday.