During a meeting between Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam and Nayef Hawatmeh, the Secretary General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Khaddam issued a warning against “Sharon’s aggressive policy of inciting war in the Middle East.” He emphasized that Syria is committed to defending itself. Khaddam made these remarks in response to the unbalanced stance taken by the United States regarding the volatile situation in the region.