JERUSALEM, Nov 11: Israeli Justice Minister Tommy Lapid on Thursday welcomed the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, telling military radio that it was "good that the world is rid of him".

"The sun is shining in the Middle East and around the world, as Arafat was not only the leader of terrorism against Israel, but also the founding father of the terrorism that is running rampant around the world right now, including that of Al Qaeda," Mr Lapid said.

"All this terrorism is the fruit of Arafat's work, and it's good that the world is rid of him," the minister added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon expressed hope that the death of Arafat could open a new chapter in relations with the Palestinians.

"We hope that the new Palestinian leadership that succeeds him will understand that progress in relations with Israel and solutions to problems must come first and foremost through a war on terrorism," he told Israeli radio.

President Moshe Katsav said Arafat's death could "constitute the start of a new chapter".

"I hope that the new Palestinian leadership will take a new path with a view to putting an end to terrorism and violence, which would allow a resumption of negotiations," Mr Katsav said in a statement.

"If this new Palestinian leadership commits to this path, it will find in us a reliable partner aspiring to peace," Mr Katsav noted.

Since coming to power in early 2001, Mr Sharon had boycotted Arafat and kept him under virtual house arrest.-AFP