Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat's condition has improved significantly according to a spokesman but it is expected that he will remain in a French military hospital for at least two to three more weeks.

Doctors hope to have an official diagnosis by Saturday of this week but have ruled out blood cancer or tumors and said there is no sign of 'serious illness.'

'There is a slow but positive development,' a spokesman for Mr. Arafat said. 'We have overcome the critical stage in Mr. Arafat's health. Now it is a matter of time for him to get treatment and recover.'

Reports out of Paris indicate that the PLO Chairman has remained involved in Palestinian affiars. On Monday, he condemned a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv that killed three Israelis after having telephone conversations with PA officials and Egyptian President Mubarak. He is also actively following the U.S. Presidential elections although nobody is indicating which candidate he is favoring.

To date, Arafat has not received any social visitors and no date for his possible release has been given.