Asian heads of state and Muslim leaders are marking the passing of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat Thursday. In death as in life, the controversial leader is attracting a mixture of enthusiastic praise and vigorous denunciation.
Palestinians mourn the death of their leader, Yasser Arafat, prepare for his burial in the West Bank city, Ramallah, and move ahead with political transition. At the same time, Israel has stepped up security and sealed off the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to avert unrest.