News In Brief

Arafat begins regrouping after ouster from Lebanon

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat headed a Palestinian military committee meeting here Tuesday to map out a new strategy after his eviction by rebels from Lebanon.

After his controversial visit in Cairo with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Mr. Arafat said he was convinced of a need to establish a Palestinian government in exile - an idea first proposed by the late Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat.

Meanwhile in Cairo, Egyptian presidential foreign affairs adviser Osama Baz has urged the US to open talks with Arafat. ''Arafat . . . has established himself as a voice of reason and moderation within the Palestinian movement,'' Mr. Baz said. He also said high-ranking Egyptian officials might soon visit Israel.