Jerusalem: Israel is still resolved to expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from the territories but will wait for the opportune time to follow up on it, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz today (Sep 6, 2004) said.

"The State of Israel will find the way and the right time to bring about the removal of Yasser Arafat from the region," Mofaz told the Army Radio today.

Commenting on the Israeli security Cabinet's decision last year to "remove" Arafat following a series of Palestinian suicide bombings, he said, "I think it is still relevant.

"We will banish him at the opportune moment and in the method that suits us," he said.

Israeli officials then had hinted at various possibilities of expelling, killing or isolating the veteran Palestinian leader.

The Defence Minister also accused Syria of harbouring Palestinian terror organisations, which order and fund the attacks on Israel from their headquarters in Damascus.

"The State of Israel is determined to act against terror anywhere in the world," Mofaz said in a stern warning adding, "Terror leaders in Damascus should know that Israel will get to them, wherever they are."