[ConceptualMind]

Yasser Arafat 1929-2004

CAIRO, Egypt (CNN) -- The plane carrying the body of Yasser Arafat arrived in Egypt Thursday, just hours after the Palestinian leader died of a lengthy and unknown illness at a Paris hospital.

The body was flown from a French military air base to Cairo for Friday's state funeral.

One of the first people off the plane was Arafat's widow, Suha Tawil, who was dressed in all black and made her way slowly down a red carpet accompanied by other relatives. She wept as her late husband's body was brought off the plane and a military band played a solemn tune.

Eight soldiers marched slowly carrying Arafat's coffin, draped in a Palestinian flag, to a nearby hearse, while three other soldiers bearing swords led the group.

News of the Cairo memorial service prompted national leaders and representatives from around the world to travel to Egypt.

The 75-year-old Arafat had spent his life seeking a homeland for his people but was seen by Israelis as a terrorist and roadblock to peace.

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Source: CNN