Former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam called for peaceful change in Syria by overthrowing the dictatorial regime during a conference of the Syrian opposition in Berlin on Sunday. Khaddam’s speech came during his participation in the second conference of the Syrian National Salvation Front, which includes opposing Syrian figures and parties. The Front declares that its path to change is through peaceful civil disobedience. Khaddam emphasized that the Front is working to unify the Syrian opposition’s forces, which collaborate with the Front in pursuing two main goals: peaceful change by overthrowing the dictatorial regime on one hand, and committing to building a modern civil democratic state where citizens have equal rights and responsibilities on the other.
Khaddam and Ali Sadreddine al-Bayanouni, the General Observer of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, both emphasized the Syrian opposition’s adherence to peaceful democratic change. They stressed the importance of this message to everyone who faces the dilemma of two negative options: chaos and civil war, similar to the Iraqi scenario, or authoritarianism and corruption. The conference’s proceedings are expected to continue until Monday evening, with its decisions to be announced on Tuesday morning after the election of the Front’s new leadership.
Khaddam and al-Bayanouni called for the establishment of a modern democratic state in Syria, based on the principles of citizenship. Al-Bayanouni urged all opposition organizations and figures to base their positions on general national consensus, the greatest common denominator, and to defer their individual programs and visions until the desired goal is achieved, which is democratic change and the construction of a modern Syrian civil state. Regarding the situation in Iraq, Khaddam stated that it is the most dangerous situation the region has faced since the end of World War II. He deemed that wars and violent conflicts have placed Iraq in extreme danger concerning its unity, future, fate, and the security and stability of the region’s countries.
He also addressed the opening session of the conference, where Syrian Kurdish leader Salah Badreddine stated that Syria is a red line that cannot be crossed. He emphasized that the Kurdish people in Syria have the right to express their grievances to their fellow Arab Syrian citizens and others. Approximately 140 opposing Syrian figures are participating in the conference, which is the second conference after the founding conference held in London in June 2006. The conference is expected to elect a new National Salvation Council consisting of around thirty members, in addition to a new General Secretariat that serves as the executive leadership of the Front.