Experts dig up Arafat corpse

The grave of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

International experts exhumed his body in Ramallah Tuesday to investigate suspicions of poisoning.

Clothing supplied by his widow containing high levels of radioactive polonium prompted French officials to open the inquiry, eight years after his death in a Paris hospital.

No autopsy was conducted then, at the request of his widow, Suha.

Palestinians now have mixed feelings about the exhumation.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT OF GAZA, ALI JAROUSHA, SAYING:

We have to know why he died because he represents the Palestinian people and the Arab world. Every one who helped to assassinate him should be taken to court."

A Hamas spokesperson said Gaza rulers agree with the investigation.

Others, including some of his family, are against disturbing the remains.

Many Palestinians believe that Israel, which confined Arafat to his West Bank headquarters for the two years before his death, was behind his sudden illness.

Arafat's remains will be reburied with full military honours Tuesday after the forensic work is complete.