“The Festival -The Event”, which was meant to launch a series of statements and positions concerning developments in the Lebanese and regional arenas from the city of Tripoli (northern Lebanon), was abruptly interrupted shortly after its inauguration when Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam fell from the stage during his speech. Despite Khaddam’s words, particularly towards the Israeli enemy, who “smiles from division and conflict”, which were the only words and attitudes unfolded, the event was halted around 12:15 p.m. yesterday in the courtyard of the Rashid Karami International Fair in Tripoli, where the 14th anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rashid Karami was being celebrated. The latter was assassinated on June 1, 1987, when an explosive was planted in the back of his seat in a Lebanese Army helicopter that was carrying him from Tripoli to Beirut. The festival, which had been planned two months prior, was supposed to be a “festival of messages in several directions.” It began with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and playing of the Lebanese national anthem. After a welcome speech and presentation by the ceremony’s deputy corporal and former minister, Dr. Elias Saba, Khaddam took the stage and started to deliver a speech on behalf of Syrian President Dr. Bashar Al-Assad. However, he only read the first few pages for a quarter of an hour. The last phrase Khaddam said at the festival was, “Only your enemy smiles from the division and conflict between you. Do not give the enemy a gift at the expense of the unity of the nation and the security of the country.” The festival had begun with heavy political and popular presence from various Lebanese regions.
Before Khaddam collapsed and fell on the stage, it was noted that he was slowly opening his eyes and then stopped talking for about half a minute. He said, “I apologize for not being able to read further… Because I feel…” and then he fell behind the stage. His companions rushed to him and took him outside the venue and transferred him to Al-Naini Hospital, which is about 100 meters away from the eastern entrance to the Rashid Karami International Fair.
The festival began with Khaddam’s speech, in which he praised the late President Karami and said, “A few days ago, you celebrated the first anniversary of your victory over the Israeli enemy, and the withdrawal from most Lebanese territory was achieved. This victory was a victory for you and for the whole world. Today, Lebanon marks the 14th anniversary of the martyrdom of a great man who gave his heart, mind, and body for Lebanon and the Arab world’s resistance against the Zionist project. Between the two events, the victory and the martyrdom took place, and Arab Lebanon stands tall in its national unity, proud of its victory, determined to follow the path until the great victory is achieved – Lebanon’s rise, its launch, and the victory of the Arab nation over the Zionist project. If the victory happened, it was achieved thanks to your steadfastness, sacrifices, and the heroism of those who pledged their lives to the homeland and chose to apply to them the Almighty saying, ‘Do not think those killed for the sake of Allah are dead, but alive when their Lord lives.'”
He added, “As for the martyrdom event, it was for the unity of Lebanon, to achieve civil peace, stop the bloody bleeding, and confront the Zionist project in Lebanon. President Rashid Karami was martyred while pursuing peace, justice, and equality for his citizens and to see a liberated, strong, and beloved Lebanon whose land will not be desecrated by the feet of the Israeli occupier. He played a major role in bringing down the May 17 agreement, which legitimized the Zionist project and almost tore Lebanon apart and destroyed its independence. The martyr, along with leaders from the national action, played a significant role in dropping this agreement and liberating Lebanon from the control of such agreements in which Israel offers nothing but humiliation to the Arabs. Any agreement that does not stem from the rights of Arabs is a humiliating agreement for all Arabs.”
Before Khaddam collapsed and fell off the stage, he was seen slowly opening his eyes and then stopped talking for about half a minute. He said, “I apologize for not reading further… Because I feel…” Here he fell behind the stage, and his companions rushed to transport him to Al-Naini Hospital, which is about 100 meters away from the eastern entrance to the Rashid Karami International Fair.
He added, “The late President Karami was among the first convoy of martyrs in Lebanon. His murder was instigated by sedition. However, the Lebanese people, aware of the motives behind his assassination, recognized the danger of the enemies and held on to their national unity. Thus, President Rashid Karami sacrificed his life to end the bloodshed in his beloved country… He responded to extremism with moderation and fought it through dialogue. He stayed away from his city, which he loved, until it regained its security. Extremism eventually killed him, and Lebanon lost a prominent figure from its media.”
He rejected the idea of one team winning over another because the winner is ultimately defeated, along with the broken team and the entire country. The victory of one team in internal conflicts undermines national unity in a war characterized by nervousness, ignorance, and hatred. Arab Lebanon was rooted in its conscience, Arabism in its faith, and Syria in its heart.
President Karami inherited from his late father, President Abdul Hamid Karami, his principles of nationalism and moderation, and his steadfastness in adhering to values and principles in his struggle for national peace. He was strong in adhering to his principles yet flexible in dialogue. Throughout all the crises Lebanon has faced since he entered political life, he did not take a hardline stance in those crises. He embodied a national spirit and understood that deepening this spirit during crises would lead to stability in the country. He was patient with his opponents to maintain the bond of dialogue and affection. A country cannot achieve stability and recovery in the face of quarrels and conflicts
Khaddam stated, “Talking about a period in which a martyr died does not mean opening a file of a past past but rather extracting lessons and fortifying the present and illuminating the future path. In all countries that have experienced internal wars, their national unity has been torn apart. However, Lebanon has been able to rise and regain its unity. Brothers, you should continue the process of advancement and strengthening national unity. Brothers in Lebanon, take care of your national unity, which is your fortress and the path to your advancement.
We fought to get rid of all the ignorant legacies. Religion and sect should not be a weapon used by hackers, climbers, and opportunists to protect interests or gain benefits. There is no religion that calls for nervousness and fanaticism. Take the path of faith in God, love, and devotion to the country. Faith is tolerance, love, and the call for justice, equity, and equality. It enlightens the mind and works. Avoid fanaticism because it obviates reason, blinds vision, loses the way, and leads to death.
Your enemy gains from division and conflict between you. Do not give the enemy a gift at the expense of the unity of the nation and the security of the country.”
In detail, a security cordon was set up around the hospital to which he was transferred. Only dignitaries were allowed to enter, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Nabih Berri, who was to deliver a speech at the ceremony on behalf of the President of the Republic, Emile Lahoud, as well as the former President of the Republic, Elias Hraoui. The speeches concluded with a speech by former Prime Minister, Omar Karami.
When Khaddam was removed from the festival hall, chaos and confusion prevailed. President Omar Karami took the stage to deliver a speech in which he said, “On the anniversary of the martyrdom of Al-Rasheed, sister Syria was keen to have the representative of His Excellency Dr. Bashar Al-Assad, the Vice President, Mr. Abdel Halim Khaddam, participate in this celebration. During his speech, he experienced a health incident. We wish our big brother ‘Abu Jamal’ a speedy recovery and may God grant him good health, well-being, and longevity.”
Karami concluded by saying, “Brothers, we thank all of you for sharing this anniversary with us. We apologize for not completing this event. Thank you all and peace be upon you.”
About an hour later, the Chairman of the Committee for the Remembrance of President Rashid Karami, Eng. Maan Karami, told some media outlets that Khaddam was well and that the health incident he suffered was due to fatigue. Medical sources at “El Nini” Hospital were quoted as saying that Khaddam would leave the hospital within hours.
In the morning, Khaddam visited Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares at his home in the town of Benu – Akkar. He was accompanied by Major General Ghazi Kanaan, the head of the Syrian Arab forces’ security and reconnaissance service, Lebanese Minister of Defense Khalil Hrawi, and MPs Asaad Hardan and Asim Kansuh. Also present were the head of the Syrian security department in Akkar, Colonel Mohammed Mufleh, and the head of the Syrian security department in Tripoli, Colonel Mohammed Khalouf. Khaddam’s son Jihad and Faris Nejad’s son were also in attendance.
Khaddam and the accompanying delegation started their visit with a tour of Benue and then were hosted by Faris for a morning breakfast. When the procession arrived at Faris’s house, Khaddam asked to use the bathroom where he stayed for about ten minutes. Then everyone went to Tripoli to participate in the festival commemorating the assassination of President Rashid Karami.
After the end of the ceremony, Khaddam was scheduled to go to Beirut to meet with President Emile Lahoud, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who went to Tripoli, where Khaddam returned to the hospital.
