Former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam revealed yesterday that he met with the head of the international investigation committee into the assassination of the late President Rafik Hariri, Judge Detlev Mehlis, in Paris the day before yesterday. He discussed with him « specific facts evaluated by the committee, » emphasizing his aim to create a Syrian national alliance to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad and expressing support for the « Damascus Declaration. » In the meantime, the « Muslim Brotherhood » expressed readiness to cooperate with Khaddam during the transitional period to « bring about a fundamental democratic change in Syria. »
Khaddam, who resides in Paris under security protection, informed Agence France-Presse that he met German Judge Detlev Mehlis on Friday afternoon in the French capital.
He explained, « Mehlis asked me a number of questions about the assassination of Mr. Rafik Hariri, and I answered based on the information I have. Naturally, the investigation committee operates in secrecy, and it is not within my right to disclose what I said. » He added, « I presented specific facts, and the evaluation of these facts lies with the committee. »
Khaddam stated, « The assassination operation requires complex arrangements, both in terms of materials used and the elements needed for the operation. » He continued, « No security agency can make such a decision, even if someone wanted to carry it out independently. The information would reach the president, as everyone monitors one another, and thus, if a Syrian security agency is involved, it would be upon the decision of the head of state. »
Khaddam questioned, « Is the Syrian regime involved? This is what the investigation committee will establish. »
He confirmed that « reading Judge Mehlis’ report clearly indicates that the committee possesses specific evidence, but it did not provide specific names. I believe, as they mentioned in the report, that this is to ensure the integrity of the investigation, since the Security Council is not a judicial council but a political one, and it is the one that formed the committee. »
Khaddam clarified that he would have been killed if he had made such statements within Damascus, considering that the accountability of the Syrian regime has begun, and he wished for its overthrow through a popular uprising. In an interview with « United Press International » yesterday, Khaddam announced that he is working towards « establishing a national alliance in Syria to topple President Bashar al-Assad and hold accountable those he referred to as security personnel, » denying any alliance with former Chief of Staff Hikmat Al-Shihabi, who resides in the United States.
Khaddam stated, « I am not forming an alliance with Hikmat Al-Shihabi, but I am working towards establishing a national alliance in Syria. I am not seeking anything personal or any personal ambitions. I am working to overthrow Bashar al-Assad and to hold accountable the security personnel who were negatively involved with the Syrian citizens. I have nothing to hide or fear. »
Khaddam seemed eager to deny any ties with Syrian officials residing outside Syria, noting that he « has no connection with former Syrian Vice President Rifaat Al-Assad (who resides in France), neither closely nor remotely… I am not seeking to meet Ziad or Amr. »
Responding to a question about the kind of new system he envisions for Syria, Khaddam replied, « In the 1950s, Syria was a democratic country. Democratic Syria halted the Baghdad Pact. Democratic Syria used to send cadres to most Arab countries. »
Khaddam voiced his support for what is known as the « Damascus Declaration, » issued on October 16th of last year by 12 political parties and several Syrian opposition figures calling for a « radical democratic change in Syria. » Khaddam said, « This declaration accurately reflects the aspirations of Syrians. I support this declaration, and its content perfectly aligns with my perspective. »
After commending French President Jacques Chirac and characterizing his policy towards Syria and Lebanon as « appropriate, » he attributed the deteriorating relations between Paris and Damascus to Assad and his associates. Khaddam refuted having any communication with US officials, either initiated by him or by them.
Regarding the possibility of normalizing strained relations between Lebanon and Syria, Khaddam stated, « It is not possible to convince a group of Lebanese individuals to do so before the investigation into Hariri’s assassination is concluded. »
Khaddam cautioned against interfering with the Taif Agreement, deeming that doing so « would lead Lebanon back to square one, » which implies the eruption of a new civil war.
Addressing Chirac’s statement that he does not employ Khaddam’s words to topple the Syrian regime, Khaddam commented, « His statement is correct. Indeed, what I say has no connection, and he does not use what I say to overthrow the regime in Syria. He did not claim he is working towards overthrowing the regime in Syria. »
He perceived that the cause of the strained relations between Damascus and Paris is due to « the incorrect understanding and erroneous decisions made by Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian people desired the Syrian army’s withdrawal from Lebanon since 2000, » when Israeli forces withdrew from southern Lebanon.
In another statement to the private radio station « RTÉ, » Khaddam remarked, « President Bashar al-Assad threatened Rafik Hariri on multiple occasions. I know this because I heard Bashar al-Assad myself. However, the assessment of the significance of these threats and whether Bashar al-Assad was involved or not (in Hariri’s assassination) falls under the jurisdiction of the investigators. »
Khaddam elaborated on these threats. He stated, « On one occasion, Bashar summoned Rafik Hariri in the presence of security officers and directed harsh remarks towards him, accusing him of working against Syria and endeavoring to elect a Lebanese president who is hostile to Syria. » Khaddam added that the Syrian President « stated, ‘I am the one who decides, and I will eliminate anyone who opposes my decisions.' »
