On Thursday evening, French and Israeli media reported that Yasser Arafat had died. The death of Yasser Arafat was reported by Israel's Channel Two television and Israel Radio "Galei Tzahal." CNN also reported Arafat's death. \n \nReuters reports, citing medical sources, that Arafat is in a state of clinical death, his brain is dead. \n \nThe Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority denied this report: "I just spoke with Paris, they reported that the situation has not changed. He is still in intensive care." \n \nRecall that on Thursday Yasser Arafat lost consciousness three times, and then fell into a coma. \n \nImmediately after this, Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, confirmed Arafat's death in Brussels. "He died 15 minutes ago," said Juncker, answering journalists' questions at the European Union summit. \n \nA few minutes after this, French Defense Ministry representative General Christian Estripeau stated: "Arafat has not died." \n\nUS President George Bush, having learned of Arafat's death from media reports at a press conference in Washington, said: "My first reaction is may God rest his soul." Moreover, at that moment it was not clear whether Arafat had died or not. "My second reaction is that we will continue to work for peace in the Middle East and a free Palestinian state." \n\nCurrently, some of Yasser Arafat's powers relating to security and finance have been transferred to PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei.