Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has been in a coma since Wednesday evening and is now in critical condition in the intensive care unit at a French military hospital, aides said. Top Israeli security officials were meeting on Thursday to discuss Arafat's deteriorating health and how his possible death would affect the Middle East.

Hungary Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said on Wednesday that his country will withdraw its 300 troops from Iraq by March 31 next year.

At least six officials of the Pakistani security forces were killed and several were injured when their vehicle hit a bomb in the country's tribal region of South Waziristan, an army spokesman said.