Jerusalem, Oct 05: Israel will not immediately expel Yasser Arafat from his West Bank headquarters after a suicide attack in Haifa but the "clock is ticking" towards the Palestinian leader's removal, a senior official said today. “When the time comes he will be expelled. The clock is already ticking," the official said on condition of anonymity.

The Israeli security cabinet approved in principle Arafat's removal on September 11, two days after twin suicide attacks in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, a decision which prompted outrage among Palestinians and international condemnation. Bureau Report