Palestinian radical founder dies

The founder of the radical Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), George Habash, has died in Jordan, associates say.

Habash died of a heart attack, one of his former colleagues said. He was around 80 years old.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called three days of national mourning.

Under Habash's leadership the PFLP became known as one of the most radical Palestinian militant groups, notorious for plane hijackings.

In September 1970 it captured four airliners, later blowing them up in front of the world's cameras, once the passengers had been removed.

The group also fired at Israeli aircraft and their crew, carried out bombings, and took hostages including, on one occasion, Opec leaders meeting in Vienna.

'Historic leader'

George Habash was born in Lydda, in British-ruled Palestine - which is now Lod in Israel - and was forced to flee when war broke out in 1948.

He was a Christian, and became a medical student, who espoused the cause of secular Arab nationalism.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7211395.stm