Leadership troikas are a potion for trouble

Conflict. The word is synonymous with 'Palestine'. And leadership troikas or triumvirates can - and mostly do - historically lead to clashes and chaos.

As with everything else coming out of Ramallah in the past few hours, very few things are certain. Arafat's well being is coloured all shades possible by those involved with the Israeli-occupied Palestinian lands.

Talk of his imminent passing is countered with reports saying the leader's health has stabilised. As with everything connected to the affairs of the long-suffering Palestinian people, the fate of their leader is as open to interpretation as theirs is in the vacuum that will follow in his absence.

Reports say Arafat has set up a triumvirate to temporarily take over administration of the Palestinian Authority if he is no longer able to. Although this has been denied by others, it does not signal stability, temporary or otherwise.

Roman triumvirates have been used to manipulate and dominate and defeat. Julius Ceaser seized power through one. So did Mark Anthony. Chaos caused by a troika pulling in different directions has done the ultimate disservice to the people it was meant to serve.

The Palestinians definitely do not need more instability. They have enough confused captains calling the shots right now.