RAMALLAH: The Palestinian leadership is to petition the International Criminal Court in The Hague if it finds proof that the late Yasser Arafat was poisoned, an official said on Tuesday.

“If it is proved that Arafat was poisoned, we will go to the international court,” said Tawfiq Tirawi, head of the Palestinian commission investigating Arafat's death, referring to the International Criminal Court (ICC). His remarks were made at a press conference which took place several hours after the veteran leader's remains were exhumed for testing by a team of international experts. “We will wait for the results of the investigation,” he said.

“We are not accusing anyone so far but regardless of the result, we will continue looking for the truth” about how he died. The ICC can only open an investigation if it is asked to do so by the UN Security Council or by a recognised state.—AFP