Arafat furious

Mr Arafat, his shell-blasted headquarters surrounded by Israeli snipers, emerged from his talks with Mr Powell voicing outrage over his treatment by the Israelis.

He condemned Israel's crackdown in the West Bank and his own confinement, with the Israelis controlling his access to electricity, food and water.

"I have to ask the whole world... is this acceptable, that I can't go outside this door?" he told reporters.


The two-week-old church siege in Bethlehem continues

But he also thanked Mr Powell for his efforts and described the talks as "very warm, very important".

Mr Powell is now heading for Egypt to brief Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on the results of his mission.