The head of the Opposition National Salvation Front calls on the international community to increase pressure on the Syrian regime.
Former Syrian Vice President and President of the Opposition National Salvation Front, Abdelhalim Khaddam, said in an interview with the American radio station “Sawa” broadcasted yesterday that there are consultations taking place within Syria for the establishment of a transitional council to politically manage the confrontation with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Khaddam also mentioned that these consultations are happening among civilian circles in the country, excluding any role for the Syrian military institution in this process. He expects the fall of the Assad regime soon, stating that “there is a determination by the Syrian people to demonstrate peacefully despite the killings, numerous injuries, arrests, and intimidation.”
The head of the Opposition National Salvation Front called on the international community to increase pressure on the Syrian regime, ruling out the success of any dialogue initiated by Damascus, either officially or popularly, due to the impossibility of conducting it “while people are being slaughtered.”
Khaddam also stated that Lebanon does not have a government as it has turned into an occupied state by Hezbollah, denying any role for himself or his followers in the alleged resignation of the Syrian Ambassador to Paris, Lamia Shakkour.
Furthermore, Khaddam expressed his belief that the European Union is moving in the right direction to save the Syrian people and restore stability to the region. He mentioned that the European Union has taken very advanced steps, while the Arab stance remains officially silent, but the Arab media, in general, is taking positive and good positions that reveal the atrocities and crimes committed by the regime.
He also expressed hope that the United States, being one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and a major power, would translate its political statements into practical positions through increased pressure on the regime to protect and empower the Syrian people in achieving their aspirations.
Regarding the Syrian opposition abroad, Khaddam stated that the role of the opposition abroad is to assist the domestic forces rather than replace them. He emphasized that this matter requires discussions within the country between the revolutionary forces and the entities that support these forces internally, as they are the ones who can form a political structure to manage the conflict with the regime politically, and to support the revolution.
Regarding the talks conducted by Khaddam, he clarified that they are on a civilian level and not on a military level. He considers that the position of the military institution is well-known and clear, and the leadership of the army and armed forces is being used in a negative and dangerous manner against the Syrian people.
As for the time required for the Syrian revolution to overthrow the regime, Khaddam believes that the regime is now just a few steps away from falling. The regime’s ability to hold out has become very limited. When asked about calls for national dialogues in Damascus, Khaddam responded that these dialogues do not carry weight or have any impact, and that the dialogue initiated by the regime is self-serving, with no new developments except for the continuation of repression and killing.
Regarding his relationship with the alleged resignation of the Syrian Ambassador to France, Khaddam replied that this is part of Hezbollah’s lies and that the information is not true in any way. Concerning the Syrian opposition parties that will visit Russia at the end of this month and their potential role in changing the Kremlin’s stance, Khaddam believes that these attempts will not have any effect because the situation in Syria is influenced by multiple factors, which lead Moscow to adopt its current approach.
As for the possibility of a civil war in Syria, Khaddam answered that this is not likely to happen, and there won’t be a civil war. There is a one-sided war, which is the regime that has turned the Syrian army, initially established by Syrians to defend the homeland, into an army of occupation.
Regarding his opinion on the new Lebanese government, Khaddam stated that he believes there is no government in Lebanon. He views Lebanon as a “occupied state that has lost its sovereignty and legitimacy” and considers it occupied by Hezbollah.
