Abdel Halim Khaddam leads a new Syrian opposition group

publisher: REUTERS

Publishing date: 2011-11-07

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PARIS (Reuters) – A new Syrian opposition group, supported by former Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam, who defected from Bashar al-Assad’s regime, stated on Monday that its objective is to unite various opposition factions and employ “all means” necessary to overthrow the Syrian president.

The National Committee to Support the Syrian Revolution, which was announced in Paris on Monday, comprises 65 founding members, including lawyers, businessmen, doctors, and Khaddam himself, who had served under both Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad, for almost 30 years.

While the group has not yet established contact with other opposition groups, such as the Syrian National Council, it expressed frustration over the failure of multiple opposition groups to unite. The absence of a symbolic figure was cited as a significant obstacle to mobilizing Syrians.

Khaddam, who sought refuge in Paris in 2005, stated, “This committee does not seek competition with anyone.” He further added, “We do not aim to undermine the confidence in the Syrian National Council or its members. We respect all those who work towards putting an end to the massacres. However, despite numerous initiatives, we lack a clear message to overthrow the regime.”

Four years ago, Khaddam attempted to establish an exiled government but encountered disagreements with other opposition groups. His tenure in office has made him highly suspicious among fellow Syrian opponents.

“We will support the opposition using all available means, both inside and outside the country,” he affirmed.

In Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, pro-Assad forces entered a residential area six days after tank shelling resulted in the deaths of dozens of people and left hundreds injured, as part of an ongoing military campaign to suppress protests.

Last week, Assad’s government approved an Arab League plan to halt military actions, withdraw troops from cities, and release prisoners. However, the opposition claims that violence has persisted and rejected the government’s justifications.

Talal Al-Tarkawi, the chairman of the National Committee and a Syrian businessman from Homs based in Saudi Arabia, asserted that Arab countries have yet to realize that Damascus is merely buying time. Al-Tarkawi stated that it is imperative for Arab nations to understand that the government lacks the will to cease the massacres and is using delay tactics to perpetuate the bloodshed.

He called on the international community to intervene in Syria and establish a no-fly zone similar to the one implemented in Libya, enabling army defectors to bolster the revolution. However, there is currently no indication of Western willingness for military intervention.

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