Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi has purchased a home on the island of Malta for Suha Arafat, the widow of late Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat, the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper reported Wednesday morning.
According to the report Gaddafi has decided to care for all of Suha Arafat's needs after she and her daughter were recently expelled from Tunisia.
Palestinian sources in Ramallah told the newspaper that the house, which is located in Valletta, one of the Maltese capital's most prestigious neighborhoods, is valued at one million euros. Sources also reported that the Libyan leader sent his son, Saif al-Islam, to oversee the purchase of the house and to provide all Arafat's security needs in coordination with the Maltese government.
Meanwhile, three bodyguards have been appointed to protect Suha and her 13-year-old daughter Zahwa.
Arafat left Tunisia several months ago where she had been residing even before the death of her husband. Two months ago the Tunisian press reported that the local authorities had revoked her citizenship; however the reason was not given.
The Tunisian press reported that the reason behind the expulsion of Arafat and her daughter was an argument that broke out between herself and her business associates in various projects she was involved in, and that her intention to move to Malta had been made at the time.
Following her expulsion, the Libyan leader spoke with Arafat and decided to take responsibility for her and to provide her and her daughter with all their needs. Gaddafi even instructed the Libyan embassy in Malta to find temporary accommodation for the Arafats at one of the luxury hotels in the capital until their new home is ready.
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