“Al-Hayat” continues to publish excerpts from a new book by Syrian Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam, soon to be released under the title “The Contemporary Arab System: Reading Reality and Anticipating the Future.” The book addresses Arab national consciousness in its early stages and its evolution, discussing the nationalists’ assessment of the minorities’ status and the position of Islamic religion in Arab identity. It delves into the current Arab system embodied in the Arab League, its inception, and its stumbling trajectory. The book also explores the Arab system during the Cold War era and the prospects of the Arab nationalist project in our present days.
Regarding the conflict with Israel, Abdul-Halim Khaddam provides an explanation of the Zionist project and the Arab stance toward it, subsequently delving into the Arab-Israeli conflict. He discusses its manifestation in the October 1973 war, the liberation of southern Lebanon, and the ongoing Palestinian uprising.
In today’s third installment of the narrative, which can be considered an official Syrian account of the October War, the first victory of Arab armies over the Israeli army is highlighted.
The first visit by President Hafez al-Assad outside of Syria was to Cairo in late November 1979, accompanied by Abdul-Halim Khaddam as the Foreign Minister. The meeting with President Anwar Sadat was warm, but this warmth was not shared by his aides, who still harbored resentment towards the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party. The dispute from the past lingered within them, without considering the necessity of overcoming past issues, as the continuation of Israeli aggression would intensify, and the Arab nation would grow weaker. There was a complete agreement during this visit to affirm partnership, overcome the past, and look towards the future.
It becomes apparent that the analysis of the situation was shared by both the Egyptian and Syrian presidents, and their conviction was the same: that the responsibility of Egypt and Syria required solidarity, integration, and a recall of their history of collaboration and unity, dating back to when the unity of the two countries defeated the Crusaders and the Mongols.
In this meeting, the following agreements were reached:
- Appointment of General Mohamed Fawzi as the Commander of the Armed Forces in Egypt and Syria, with broad powers to ensure proper preparation in terms of training and organization for the forces of both countries. This includes developing military plans for the liberation war.
- Syria’s accession to the Treaty of Tripoli, which previously included Egypt, Libya, and Sudan.
- Working to mobilize Arab resources in the upcoming war: militarily, economically, and politically. This involves visits by the presidents or their representatives to various Arab countries, utilizing Syrian and Egyptian envoys, and seeking support from the Arab League, especially the Arab Defense Council.