Abdel Halim Khaddam, the former Syrian Vice President, has called for President Bashar Al-Assad to step down, warning him of a fate similar to that of the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Khaddam believes that Assad’s current actions and circumstances resemble those of the former Libyan leader.
According to Khaddam, the ongoing revolution in Syria is not sectarian but rather a revolution against the regime itself. He emphasized that it is not aimed at the Alawite community, but rather against the ruling family, their crimes, and their authoritarian and corrupt regime. Khaddam holds those who were involved in planning and issuing orders for Bashar al-Assad’s crimes responsible for their execution.
When asked about the possibility of a repetition of the Libyan scenario in Syria, Khaddam stated that it might be the last scenario. Personally, he expressed hope for international military intervention to resolve the current problem, as it would prevent further losses and destruction in the country and contribute to achieving comprehensive stability in the region.
Khaddam officially announced his split from the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the end of 2005 due to the deterioration of their relationship and his continuous calls for peaceful change.
Regarding his understanding of Bashar al-Assad’s character, Khaddam mentioned that he had tried to assist him when he assumed the presidency. However, he observed that Assad’s problem lies in being influenced by others and frequently changing his point of view. According to Khaddam, if he were to discuss a topic with Assad in the morning, his convictions could be altered by any visitor in the evening. Khaddam describes Bashar as a hesitant and emotional person.
Khaddam asserts that Bashar al-Assad “is the one who gives the orders to kill. There is a group of his relatives and the security services that report to him, but ultimately, the decision-maker is Bashar al-Assad,” Khaddam said.
As violent events in Syria continue, with 14 people reportedly killed on Monday according to the local coordinating committees in Syria, the independent international commission of inquiry responsible for assessing the situation in Syria has accused the Syrian army of committing “crimes against humanity” in its suppression of protesters against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. The commission called on Damascus to immediately cease the abuses and address the widespread human rights violations.
On the other hand, the Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Al-Muallem, has accused the League of Arab States of “closing all windows with Syria” through its recent sanctions. He claimed that some countries are pushing for internationalization of the conflict. Al-Muallem viewed the announcement to stop dealing with the Central Bank of Syria as a “declaration of war” at the economic level. He ridiculed certain positions expressed by the Qatari Foreign Ministry and its French counterpart, referring to their mention of “information” about attempts to transfer individuals who had fought in Libya to Syria.
During a press conference held in Damascus to respond to Arab sanctions, Al-Muallem addressed the beginning of the Arab role in the Syrian crisis. He denounced the Arab League’s call to withdraw the army from the streets, stating that the army was fulfilling its role in protecting the homeland. He rejected the accusation that the army had committed acts of violence as claimed by the Arab League, which he accused of refusing to acknowledge the existence of terrorist gangs.
