After 20 years, Arafat will return to Beirut in political chains

Yasser Arafat will be coming to next week's Arab summit in Beirut with his hands tied and a chain around his feet.

Incite violence, the Israelis have told him, and he may be refused permission to return to the West Bank and Gaza. Speak of peace, and he may be allowed home – on Israel's terms.

The Arab kings and presidents who wish to show their support for the Palestinian intifada are going to have a hard time squaring their demands for Palestinian struggle with Mr Arafat's role as Israel's "controller of terrorism''.