Some media outlets collaborating with Syrian intelligence agencies are spreading a set of lies about meetings between Mr. Abdul Haleem Khaddam and Israeli figures.
The media office of Mr. Abdul Haleem Khaddam announces the following:
- It categorically denies these news reports in their entirety and details, considering them part of a defamation campaign to tarnish his national history.
- Syrians, especially the leadership of the Ba’ath Party, are aware of Mr. Abdul Haleem Khaddam’s positions, which played a key role in preventing the late President Hafez al-Assad from making geographic, water, and security concessions to the Israelis during two negotiation phases in 1995-1996 and 1999-2000. This was during the period when Khaddam was actively preparing for the transition of power to Bashar al-Assad.
Mr. Abdul Haleem Khaddam recalls his discussions with the party leadership during the Qatar-based central command meeting in late 1999. At that meeting, Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa presented a briefing on negotiations with Ehud Barak in Washington. He informed the leadership that Barak admired President al-Assad and considered him the most important head of state in the region after Muawiya. This reflects Israeli satisfaction, established through side communications and meetings between Foreign Minister al-Sharaa and Israeli officials. During the mentioned meeting, Mr. Abdul Haleem Khaddam strongly opposed the concessions planned, leading to a shift in directions and a halt to the negotiations.
3 – Israelis are eager to ensure the continuation of the oppressive family regime in governing the country because it does everything to weaken Syria. This exacerbates its inability to protect itself, liberate its land, and maintain its dignity. The regime oppresses Syrians, turning Syria into a large prison, spreading corruption, poverty, and unemployment. It weakens Arab nations, especially Syria, disintegrating their national unity and encouraging corruption, rendering the country incapable of self-protection and maintaining its dignity. This is what the authoritarian regime in Syria has done and continues to do.
4 – Anyone serving Israel is part of the regime that weakened the armed forces, shattered their discipline, instilled fear among officers, and deprived them of the means to make the army capable of protecting the nation. Marginalizing and manipulating the armed forces and weakening their capabilities are Israeli objectives achieved by the ruling authority in Syria.
5 – Making major decisions impulsively and for narrow personal interests by the regime’s president increases the dangers facing Syria. This led to the humiliating withdrawal of the armed forces from Lebanon. The policies adopted by its security apparatus in Lebanon distorted Syrian-Lebanese relations, pushing Lebanon to the brink of explosion. The question arises: Is there a better service than this one provided to Israel?
6 – The baseless accusations and poisonous campaigns launched by the regime against Mr. Abdul Haleem Khaddam, along with the arrests of intellectuals, thinkers, and politicians in Syria, coupled with sowing fear, only strengthen the determination of Syrians to achieve the change they seek. They aspire to be free from the corrupt and oppressive regime, building a democratic system where the people are the true source of power.