A diplomatic source in the British capital, London, revealed on Friday that the Saudi monarch, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince, Sultan bin Abdulaziz, held a meeting with the former Syrian Vice President, defector Abdul-Halim Khaddam.
The source, who requested anonymity, informed United Press International that the meeting took place last Tuesday, without providing any details about what transpired.
Simultaneously, an official from the opposition National Salvation Front founded by Khaddam and the General Observer of the Muslim Brotherhood group, Ali Sadr al-Din al-Bayanouni, confirmed that Khaddam is currently visiting Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage.
The official, who also requested anonymity, informed United Press International that Khaddam’s visit to Saudi Arabia was not coordinated with any party and is limited to performing the Umrah pilgrimage only. The official stated that he cannot confirm or deny whether Khaddam met with the Saudi king and crown prince.
On the other hand, the official confirmed that the National Salvation Front plans to open an office in the American capital, Washington, to communicate primarily with the Syrian community and with the U.S. administration in general. The purpose is to explain the Front’s perspective and its goal of bringing about change in Syria to establish a democratic system based on peaceful democratic principles.
He added that the General Secretariat of the National Salvation Front decided in a meeting held in Brussels last month to open a political media office in Washington, which is currently under consideration to secure the appropriate location and financial allocations. It will be managed by the General Secretariat members Najib Al-Ghadban and Hossam al-Deri, along with Amar Abdel-Hamid.