Palestinian leaders made preparations for Yasser Arafat's eventual death as the 75-year-old leader slipped into a deeper coma.

Arafat's funeral, which has been a source of contention with Israel, may be held in two stages, the first in Cairo and the second in Ramallah, outside the Muqata compound where the meeting will take place.

A Cairo funeral would allow leaders to attend without going through Israeli border checkpoints.

Israeli leaders have said they would not allow Arafat to be buried in Jerusalem on the site known as the Temple Mount to Jews and Christians and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, where Palestinians say he wants to be interred. Israel has has approved Arafat's burial in Ramallah,

Tayssir al-Tamimi, a Muslim cleric who heads the Islamic courts in the Palestinian territories, had arrived at Arafat's hospital. He said he would not ask doctors to cut off life support machines as their religion forbids euthanasia.

Palestinian Negotiations Minister Saeb Erekat said Tuesday the 75-year-old leader has “a brain hemorrhage.” Unidentified Palestinian officials have been reported as saying he is dead.

Under Palestinian Authority law, Legislative Council Speaker Rawhi Fattouh takes over as interim president in the event of Arafat's death. Elections must be held within 60 days.