Moussa was quoted as saying that Arafat's era has not ended, adding that he shared prayers of Arabs and Palestinians for Arafat's recovery.

The AL chief described Israel's allegation that Arafat is an obstacle to peace as a "falsification of truth", saying the Israelipolicies were the real impediment to the peace process in the region.

Ailing Arafat, 75, was airlifted to a French army hospital for treatment on Friday from his shell-battered compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

French doctors were checking Arafat for viral infection after tests ruled out leukaemia and any other life-threatening illness, aides to the Palestinian leader said Sunday.

Israel terms Arafat as an obstacle to the Mideast peace process,accusing him of fomenting violence, an allegation has been strongly denied by the Palestinian side.

The United States, a strong supporter of the Jewish state, has shunned the Palestinian leader, claiming that an empowered Palestinian prime minister could replace Arafat as a negotiating partner in peace talks with Israel.