PARIS, October 31 (IslamOnline.net) - The arrival of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Paris to receive treatment in a French hospital has again put the Palestinian cause in the limelight, with the French media racing to cover the story.

Arafat’s illness demonstrated anew that France remains a staunch supporter of the Palestinian people’s cause, says IslamOnline.net correspondent.

French President Jacques Chirac personally took the decision to welcome ailing Arafat in the European country.

"It was natural that France, land of refuge, would not question the right of the president of the Palestinian Authority to come for medical treatment in our country," Chirac said in Rome where he was attending the signing of the new European Union constitution.

In a message to the veteran Palestinian leader, Chirac stressed that France "as you know, supports the aspiration, which you embody, to the creation of a viable, prosperous and peaceful Palestinian state, alongside an Israeli state assured of its security."

In its covering of Arafat’s stories, the French newspaper refer to him as the a leader championing the independence cause of his country.

Liberation published a complete profile of Arafat’s struggle in defense of the Palestinian cause, describing him as one of the main symbols of national liberation.

Le Figaro opening defending the French government’s position on Arafat.

"Nothing will be accomplished without Arafat, or against his will," French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said on October 17, while on a fence-mending visit to Israel.

The daily said France’s decision to welcome Arafat stemmed from its unwavering support for the PLO and not simply for humanitarian reasons as Chirac said.

It recalled French intervention to rescue Arafat back in 1982 when he was besieged by Israeli forces which invaded the Lebanese capital.

Le Figaro expected the decision to further widen the gap between France and the US, which has for years shun the Palestinian leader.

French TV channels carried live coverage of Arafat’s arrival in Paris and several reports on the reactions of Arab and French citizens who lined up outside his hospital.

The French media also lambasted Israel over its decision to ban Arafat’s plane from crossing its airspace while en route to Paris.

Israel had forces the plane to fly across Lebanon prolonging his flight trip to the French capital.

The Palestinian leader last visited Paris in 1989 and he was received be then president Francois Mitterrand.

This came six months after the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) accepted the existence of Israel.

Arafat’s relationship with Chirac has been close. In 1997, during his sixth visit to the president, Arafat confided that when he had a problem, he went to consult "Doctor Chirac."

The French decision on Arafat could upset the European country’s relations with Israel.

On October 17, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier visited Israel on a fence-mending trip.

He was scheduled to visit Israel in July but had to scrap his plans amid Israeli anger at his decision to meet Arafat.

Israel has confined Arafat to his Ramallah headquarters for years and has been trying to persuade other governments to shun the veteran leader.

Relations also took a dive in July when Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon called on French Jews to leave "immediately" to Israel in the face of what he called the "spread of the wildest anti-Semitism".

Jewish groups in France refrained from commenting on Arafat’s trip and consequently pro-Israel politicians and intellectuals kept mum on the issues.