Yasser Arafat’s body exhumed for polonium poisoning testing

Following allegations he was killed by Israeli agents, Swiss, French and Russian scientists will take samples of tissue from the exhumed body of Yasser Arafat to test for polonium poisoning.

According to the head of the Palestinian investigation committee, there is evidence which suggests he was poisoned by Israelis.

"I consider this a painful necessity. It is necessary to find the truth in the death of President Yasser Arafat," Tawfiq al Tirawi said.

Arafat, the former Palestinian leader, died suddenly in 2004. He was flown to Paris for treatment before he died and doctors were unable to diagnose the cause of his death. His wife, Suha, refused to allow an autopsy.

An investigation by al Jazeera TV claimed to have found "elevated levels of the substance in Arafat's final personal effects".

The Israeli government has denied any involvement in his death, and refused to comment.

Arafat was interred in the Mukataa, the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, in a marble-floored mausoleum.

He was being removed for a few hours to allow samples to be taken and then re-buried with full military honours. The results of news tests are likely to be released in four months.