The Guardian of London reports that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has suffered a mild heart attack but tried to keep it secret because he feared it would create panic.

The Guardian reports the 74-year-old leader disappeared from the public view last week and when he reappeared his health had deteriorated greatly. His face was pale. He had lost weight. He was almost inaudible and he had trouble standing for more than a few minutes. Publicly Palestinian officials say Arafat has the flu.