Ramallah Israel lifts seige at Yasser Arafat's compound
Yasser Arafat Palestinian president slams Israeli withdrawal
Israeli forces began withdrawing from Mr Arafat's compound early today, but troops are reported to be stationed very close-by in order to try to detain a number of Palestinians wanted by Israel, who are taking refuge inside Mr Arafat's building.
The move comes a day after US President George W Bush issued a written demand for an end to the blockade.
The Palestinian leader emerged from his offices, for the first time since the siege began, carried on the shoulders of his bodyguards.
Israeli troops besieged the compound, following two Palestinian suicide bombings which left seven people dead.
The army has systematically destroyed many of the buildings there.
Last week, the US abstained from the UN Security Council resolution calling for am Israeli withdrawal.
