The present invention is directed to the process for the preparation of 2'-deoxy-2'-halo-.beta.-L-arabinofuranosyl nucleosides, and in particular, 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-.beta.-L-arabinofuranosyl thymine (L-FMAU), from L-arabinose, which is commercially available and less expensive than L-ribose or L-xylose, in ten steps. All of the reagents and starting materials are inexpensive and no special equipment is required to carry out the reactions.