Arafat hails supporters after expulsion decision

Security guards had opened the iron gates of the complex which are normally closed round the clock. "With our blood and our souls we will support you, Abu Ammar," the crowd chanted, using Arafat’s nom de guerre. Wearing his trademark red and white kaffiyeh, he told them: "You are the people of the brave." "I want to say to the Israeli government, this is our population’s response to your decision." Some of the crowd were burning tyres while others carried portraits of the 74-year-old symbol of Palestinian resistance.