Khaddam accuses Assad of “fanning the flames of strife” in Lebanon and calls on Syrians to prepare for “the day of change.”

publisher: المستقبل Mustaqbal

Publishing date: 2006-11-17

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Former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of “fueling sectarian strife” in Lebanon to avoid international investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. He called on the Syrian people to prepare for what he referred to as “the day of change.”

In a message addressed to the Syrian people on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the Corrective Movement, which brought former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad to power, Khaddam stated that President Bashar al-Assad had made “the decision to assassinate Hariri and several Lebanese politicians to eliminate a rising power in Lebanon.” He further criticized Assad’s decisions, which he claimed had caused significant harm to both Syria and Lebanon, including the humiliating withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon.

Khaddam argued that with the formation of the international investigation committee into Hariri’s assassination, Assad realized that punishment was imminent. To avoid it, he sought to ignite turmoil in Lebanon, thinking that this would eliminate the cause of his fear. However, Khaddam warned that the flames of sectarian strife would consume both Lebanon and Syria, with Assad’s regime being the first casualty.

He also criticized the alliance between the Syrian regime and Hezbollah, questioning how such an alliance could exist between a party with divine principles, a history of struggle, and impeccable ethical conduct and a corrupt and authoritarian regime. Khaddam asserted that Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and its leadership were well aware of the extent of corruption within the ruling family and the suffering of the Lebanese people due to the regime’s actions. They also understood the plight of the Syrian people in terms of bread and freedom.

He also criticized what he referred to as the Syrian regime’s “ties to the Arab system and its connection to Iran’s regional strategy.” He said, “Bashar al-Assad allowed the Iranian ambassador in Syria to carry out activities that Iran would not accept from any Arab or Muslim ambassador on Iranian soil.” He called for “breaking the wall of fear,” stating that the regime’s leaders and their associates were the most fearful because they realized that their regime was on the brink of collapse. He believed that by using extreme repression, they could prolong the life of their regime, even though its downfall was inevitable due to corruption and tyranny.

Khaddam addressed the followers of the ruling Ba’ath Party, both civilians and military personnel, urging them to shoulder their responsibilities “alongside all citizens.” He said, “Realize that the regime is collapsing, and there is no doubt about its collapse. Ensure that you do not become fuel for this collapse. Free yourselves from this regime, stand with the people, and collaborate with all citizens to contribute to bringing about change and building a civil state within a democratic framework where citizens participate regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Media Office of the Syrian opposition “National Salvation Front,” led by Khaddam, announced that a delegation from the Front, including Secretary-General Nasr Hasan and member Yahya al-Shishakli, met with a German official.

The spokesperson, who requested anonymity, stated that the Front’s delegation met with the official responsible for Syrian and Lebanese affairs in the Middle East Department of the German Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, they discussed the situation in Syria and the Front’s vision for change. The discussion delved into the political conditions in which the Syrian people find themselves, characterized by repression, restrictions on public freedoms, ongoing arrests of Syrian activists and intellectuals, and the injustice faced by Kurdish citizens who have been stripped of their nationality. They also discussed the subversive role played by the Syrian regime in Syria, Lebanon, and the wider region.

The delegation requested assistance from the German official, whose identity was not disclosed, in ending the injustice inflicted on the Syrian people. They urged him not to support the regime or provide cover for its actions. Instead, they asked for pressure to be exerted on the regime to halt its repressive practices against the Syrian people, respect human rights agreements, and release political detainees.

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