Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's condition has reportedly worsened.

On Tuesday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath announced that he had slipped deeper into a coma and that his condition was "critical".

In a news conference, Shaath said Arafat's situation had deteriorated, especially since Monday night. But he was quick to add that the Palestinian leader was still alive and that his vital organs were still functioning.

Shaath would not discuss any burial plans in the event of Arafat's death, but Palestinian officials in the West Bank city of Ramallah said they would seek to bury him at his long-besieged Muqata headquarters.

Shaath also tried to dispel concerns about the possibility of chaos in the West Bank and Gaza Strip following Arafat's possible death and said the leadership transition would be smooth.

His remarks to reporters underlined the fact that the Palestinian leadership was now in control of information about Arafat after days of confusing and often conflicting reports about his undisclosed illness.

Meanwhile, quoting sources in Paris, Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV reported Tuesday night that Palestinian authorities will officially announce Arafat's death on Wednesday morning local time.