Former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam announced on Thursday his confidence in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stepping down from power, nearly three weeks after the outbreak of an unprecedented protest movement in Syria.
During a press conference held in Brussels, the former Syrian official stated that the Syrian president would step down and that the Syrian people would achieve their goals. Khaddam expressed no doubt about this, considering that the people are weary of authoritarian rule.
Regarding the reforms announced by the Syrian leadership, Khaddam commented that the problem lies not in the issuance of specific decrees but in the nature of the regime itself. He added that he was well aware of the composition of the regime, and these regulations were irreparable. He believed that the time for such systems had come to an end.
Khaddam argued that the reforms touted by the Syrian authorities would not lead to any significant change. He believed that the regime would repeal the emergency laws only to replace them with more stringent anti-terrorism laws.
Regarding the nature of the protest movement in Syria, Khaddam described it as a youth revolution led by the young people themselves. He emphasized that it had no affiliation with any political party or group, but rather encompassed young individuals from various currents and parties.
Khaddam explained that he chose to hold his press conference in Brussels instead of Paris, where he has resided since his split from the Syrian regime in 2005. This decision was influenced by the specific conditions of his presence abroad, presumably referring to the limitations imposed by the French authorities on his political activities while under their political asylum.
When asked about the anticipated change in Syria, Khaddam stated that all opposition parties and the Al-Shabaab movement in Syria advocated for peaceful change. He emphasized that no one among Syrians was calling for military intervention.
Khaddam acknowledged the sectarian tensions present in Syria but pointed out that the regime had exacerbated them through its behavior, marginalization, and isolation. However, he believed that this would not have a lasting impact since the Syrian people were not inherently sectarian. The Syrian population comprises a Sunni majority alongside Alawites, Christians, and Druze minorities.
Khaddam established the National Salvation Front after his split from the regime, which included the Muslim Brotherhood and other opponents. However, the group announced its withdrawal from the front in late 2009.
