Yassir Arafat arrived in France today for treatment on a mystery blood disorder after leaving behind - perhaps for the last time - his land and his people.

The 75-year-old Palestinian leader looked frail, but in good spirits when he started his journey. He was wearing an olive military greatcoat and a furry hat and told aides: "God willing, I will come back."

But even though Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, is said to have formally pledged to the Palestinians and their allies that Mr Arafat would - if he recovers - be able to return to Ramallah, other Israeli leaders made it clear they would like to be rid of the former terror chief.

"Arafat has no place among us and the day when we take him out of here and send him to others has never been closer," said Silvan Shalom, the Foreign Minister.

After touching down at an airfield outside Paris at lunchtime, Mr Arafat was ferried by helicopter to the Hopital d'Instruction des Armees de Percy, a military hospital southwest of Paris which also specialises in the treatment of blood disorders.

Outside the facility, which has sweeping views of the capital from its a hilltop, a small group of supporters had gathered, holding bouquets of flowers and waving Palestinian flags.

"I am waiting for Yassir Arafat to tell him that we are with him," said Fatima Mera, a 35-year-old French woman of Moroccan origin.

However, Mr Arafat's presence in France also stirred controversy. Families of French victims of terrorist attacks in Israel plan to ask judicial authorities to question Mr Arafat.

The request was to be presented to France's chief anti-terror judge, Jean-Louis Bruguiere. The pursuit of any criminal probe against Mr Arafat is bound to complicate the French Government's diplomatically sensitive decision to provide him with medical treatment.

As he was placed aboard a helicopter in his West Bank compound, scores of tearful bystanders, bodyguards and officials chanted, using his nom de guerre: "We will sacrifice our blood and souls for you, Abu Ammar."

"The mountain cannot be shaken by the wind," they called out, repeating one of his favourite sayings.

Mr Arafat's wife Suha, 41, went to the compound last night after flying in from Paris where she lives, and joined the team in making the decision that he should leave the former British fort for the first time in more than 30 months.

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