Iraqi PM offers condolences on Arafat's death

BAGHDAD, Nov 11 (AFP) - Iraq's Prime Minister Iyad Allawi expressed sadness on Thursday at the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat but hoped that his work to secure independence for the Palestinian people would continue.
"I hope that the estimable Palestinian people may find reason for optimism despite their grief and continue in the path blazed by this noble leader," Allawi said.
"May God embrace him in his bountiful mercy and lead him to dwell in his garden of peace," he said in a brief statement.
Arafat died in the early hours of Thursday in a French military hospital near Paris. He was 75.

11/11/2004 16:46 GMT - AFP