In one of his most dangerous statements to date, former Syrian Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam revealed that he had informed the head of the international investigation committee, German judge Detlev Mehlis, that he was “completely convinced” that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had “given the order” to assassinate the late President Rafik Hariri. He claimed that Assad carried out this act with partners, including his brother and brother-in-law. Khaddam believed that Assad would be “tried,” considering the Syrian regime doomed to fall because it is “weak, and its leader is weak.”
Khaddam’s statements, made to “Europe 1” radio yesterday, coincided with prominent international and Arab positions demonstrating determination to continue investigating the Hariri assassination to the end. French President Jacques Chirac, who had received Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, stated that “the era of interventions and escaping punishment in Lebanon has ended.” Meanwhile, Prince Saud al-Faisal emphasized the implementation of international decisions regarding the investigation into Hariri’s assassination. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw welcomed the Saudi and Egyptian efforts, stating that both countries are doing “the same as the international community, demanding Syria’s full cooperation with the international investigation.”
In response to a question about whether he believes Assad “gave the order” to assassinate Hariri, Khaddam said, “Yes, I am completely convinced” of that.
Khaddam had announced his defection at the end of last month in an interview with the “Al Arabiya” satellite channel, confirming that the Syrian president had made threats against Rafik Hariri.
He stated yesterday that he told the investigation committee into Hariri’s assassination, which met its German head Detlev Mehlis last week, that “such a decision (the assassination of Hariri) is only made by the head of state,” adding, “There is no security officer who can make this decision on his own (…) because it requires significant resources.”
When asked if Assad made the decision to assassinate with partners such as “his brother and brother-in-law,” Khaddam said, “Yes, (he did it) with a group of the regime surrounding him.”
The former vice president of Syria believed that Assad would be “tried,” describing the assassination of Hariri as a “political crime.”
Khaddam said, “I have heard President Bashar al-Assad repeatedly speaking against Hariri.” He recounted that at one point, Assad received him and was upset. Khaddam asked him what was happening, and Assad said, “I summoned Rafik Hariri and some Syrian security officers and told him that you are conspiring against us. You are working with the French and Americans to bring a president (against Syrian interests). I am the decision-maker. Whoever goes against my decision, I will crush him.”
In response to Assad’s denial of threatening Hariri, Khaddam said, “The truth is what happened, a campaign by Syrian intelligence and Bashar al-Assad’s allies against Hariri, accusing him of treason to prepare public opinion” before the assassination.
In a comparison between the current Syrian president and his late father Hafez al-Assad, Khaddam stated that “Hafez al-Assad used his intellect and listened to others, while Bashar al-Assad is impulsive, weak, and fond of money.”
He clarified, “He is impulsive, makes decisions without knowing their consequences, and is influenced by those around him. He never makes a decision based on study.”
Khaddam reiterated that Bashar al-Assad “makes decisions and takes actions without being aware of what he is doing.”
In response to a question about how he sees the Syrian president today, Khaddam said, “He is disturbed, anxious, sleeps very little, and is constantly emotional.”
He explained that “the Syrian people will reach a stage of holding Bashar al-Assad accountable for everything he has committed with his family (…) in Syria,” expressing his “conviction” that “the regime is destined to fall because it is weak, and its leader is weak.”
When asked if he feels threatened, Khaddam said, “I have not received direct threats, but I am waiting for something,” adding that “the people will overthrow him (Bashar al-Assad), and I am not afraid of assassination.”
Regarding the upcoming stage in Syria, Khaddam said that “the correct path is to work now with all Syrian opposition and with a number of Syrian figures to arrange a methodology for salvation,” expecting to reach “at a certain stage, a government of national unity (…) and conduct elections.”
In response to a question about whether he is “the alternative” for Syria, Khaddam told the French radio, “I don’t care who will be the alternative. I care about Syria’s salvation,” emphasizing that he is committed to it “until the end.”
As for the concerns raised about the Muslim Brotherhood coming to power, Khaddam considered that “the Muslim Brotherhood is part of the Syrian people, and every Syrian has the right to participate in political life.”
The General Observer of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, Ali Sadreddine al-Bayanouni, announced from his exile on Saturday that the group is ready to work with Khaddam to change the regime in Syria.
Khaddam once again denied any contacts with the French authorities, saying, “I do not want any contact with them.”