Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat reportedly collapsed and briefly lost consciousness yesterday raising new concerns about his health. Last night Palestinian officials said Arafat was fighting for his life but today aides said he is in stable but serious condition. He reportedly peformed morning prayers today and ate a light breakfast. He sent a message from his bedside saying he was QUOTE “OK.” The 75-year-old Arafat serves as the president of the Palestinian Authority and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization. He has been the international face of the Palestinian resistance for over three decades. Family members, colleagues and doctors have rushed to his Ramallah compound where he has been holed up for the past three years due to travel restrictions put in place by the Israeli government. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has now agreed to permit Arafat to be flown abroad for medical treatment. but questions remain if Israel would allow Arafat to return. Numerous questions have been raised as to who would succeed Arafat if he becomes incapacitated or dies. He has refused to name a successor. Some news organizations report a three-person panel has been empowered to temporarily run the Palestinian Authority. According to the BBC, the Palestinian Authority’s constitution calls for the speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Rawhi Fattuh, to succeed him. But the constitution has yet to be fully ratified.