Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat is said to be in a serious condition.

CNN quoted Palestinian officials as saying that the 75-year-old leader is too weak to walk and unable to keep food down.

A team of doctors has arrived in his Ramallah headquarters in the West Bank -- where Israeli forces have confined him since late 2001 -- to examine him.

Arafat's wife, Suha, who lives in Tunis, Tunisia, with their daughter, is expected to arrive in Ramallah on Thursday.

Israel has authorised Arafat to go "wherever he wants for treatment", an Israeli government official said.

But it is not clear if the PLO leader will be allowed to return.

As news of Arafat's condition spread, a crowd gathered outside the compound and ambulances reached on the scene.

Arafat lost consciousness at one point, Israel Radio reported. Palestinian officials disputed that account.

Reports said that Arafat created a special committee of three senior officials to run Palestinian affairs until he recovers.