Abdul Halim Khaddam, the former vice president of the Syrian president and leader of the opposition “National Salvation Front,” announced his support for international military strikes on his country, similar to what happened in Libya.
In an interview with “Al-Sharq Al-Awsat” conducted in Brussels and published on Monday, Abdul Halim Khaddam accused the international community of having a double standard in dealing with Arab revolutions.
Khaddam also pointed out the current international movement through the UN Human Rights Council to issue a resolution “referring the Syrian file to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, similar to what happened in Libya, thereby bringing President Bashar al-Assad and others to trial before international justice.”
However, Khaddam raised several questions, such as: “Is there an international deal to protect Assad, who helped the Iranians in Lebanon and Iraq? Does the international community not want to prosecute him to avoid a confrontation with Iran? Are there connections in this regard?”
He also wondered, “Is there one reason that pushes the international community to protect Assad, and why should the Syrian people pay the price?” Khaddam said he hears different statements raising questions without answers.
Khaddam declared, “(Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad is providing assistance to (Libyan leader) Muammar Gaddafi, sending pilots and technicians to strike the rebels. What is happening in Libya is happening in Syria itself.”
Regarding the reform to lead Syria after the change, Khaddam said, “The Syrian people, consisting of 23 million people, are capable of bringing out competent leaders. If you take any 10 people from the street, you will find them more capable and more righteous than the current regime.”
Abdul Halim Khaddam preferred the Syrian leadership, after Assad, to come from within, confirming that “it is not the right of Syrians abroad to lead the Syrian people. The youth who lead the protests in the cities and rural areas, enduring torture and killing, are the ones who should lead the country.”
Khaddam emphasized that he “does not aspire to power, will not return to power, and believes that the role of the older generation has ended. Now it is the role of these generations.”
Regarding those directly responsible for the crimes in Syria, Khaddam said, “We have 60 officials who directly carried out the killing operations.”
He said, “The evidence is there, and the facts are on the ground; videos and information from inside.”
The former Syrian official called for the formation of an international investigation committee to go to Syria and connect with the people.
Source: UPI – Any reprint without mentioning the source may result in legal action.
