Western media reports and Syrian sources in the British and American capitals, which Elaf spoke to tonight, have confirmed that Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam has resigned from all his positions in the state and the party. The statements from these sources, along with reports from the BBC, CNN, and Al Arabia News Channel, verify Khaddam’s resignation. However, Syrian political sources participating in the 10th Congress of the ruling Baath Party have contradicted his statements regarding the veteran politician’s resignation, who was known as “The Arab of Lebanon.” Khaddam had been responsible for the Lebanese file since the seventies until the Taif General Agreement in 1989, even stating during those years, “Lebanon will either unite with Syria or join it.”
Sources informed Elaf that the 72-year-old Khaddam, who held the position of vice president since 1983 along with Zuhair Mashareqah and later Rifat al-Assad, the uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad until his departure from Damascus nine years ago, indicated his intention to resign during the meeting of the political committee of the Baath Party. He also hinted at his resignation in his speech at the party conference. However, the Syrian government’s Minister of Expatriates, Buthaina Shaaban, denied the rumors of his resignation.
Nonetheless, sources from inside the conference indicated that Khaddam, who served as vice president for ten years, expressed his desire to retire from political life at the end of Monday’s session. Khaddam emphasized that he will continue to serve the Arab Socialist Baath Party wherever it may be.
The sources further added that Khaddam, who is regarded as one of the key figures of the old guard in Syria, wishes to pave the way for younger generations. It’s worth noting that one of the recurring demands from the West, particularly the United States, as a condition for opening up to Syria is the implementation of comprehensive reforms. According to Washington, this requirement “clashes with the old guards in the ruling party.”
Notably, Khaddam, who was one of the prominent figures in Arab diplomacy until he relinquished the post of Foreign Minister in favor of Farooq al-Shara, joined the Baath Party in the sixties. His name gained prominence with the coup that brought the late President Hafez al-Assad to power in 1970. Abdel Halim Khaddam, known for his moderate relations with Arab countries, did not solely handle the Lebanese file. President Bashar Al-Assad also entrusted him with the Iraqi file following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, leading to his meetings with various Iraqi parties and tribal leaders.
Abdel Halim Khaddam survived an assassination attempt in 1977 during a visit to Abu Dhabi, where the UAE Minister of State Saif bin Ghobash was killed. While information suggested that Khaddam was the target, it was neither confirmed nor denied.
One of the notable stages in the veteran politician’s life is his brief assumption of the presidency in Syria for 37 days as the late First Vice President until President Bashar Al-Assad took office, with Khaddam remaining as his deputy. It is worth mentioning that Khaddam was the one who issued Law No. 9 on June 11, 2000, amending Article 83 of the Constitution, which established the age requirement of 34 years for a presidential candidate.
