Mr. Abdel Halim Khaddam, the Syrian Vice President, was discharged from the hospital today, approximately 24 hours after being admitted due to a sudden health condition. During his speech at the festival commemorating the 14th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rashid Karami in Tripoli, Khaddam collapsed on stage and lost consciousness. His companions quickly rushed him to the nearby El Nini Hospital in Tripoli. Medical reports during his hospital stay confirmed that his condition was stable and that his symptoms were minor, likely caused by food poisoning or an upset stomach. Khaddam, 69, left the hospital on foot and traveled in his own car accompanied by his wife and son, Jihad, to the residence of Omar Karami, the brother of the late Prime Minister. It remains uncertain whether Khaddam will proceed with his scheduled visits to the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Prime Minister, as part of Syrian efforts to resolve recent differences over the decree to convene an extraordinary session of the House of Representatives to discuss the budget. During the Tripoli Festival, Khaddam displayed signs of fatigue and weariness, both at the festival itself and during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares before the event. It was reported that he had consumed only some labneh and olives from the breakfast that was served to him.
The political circles in Lebanon paid close attention to Khaddam’s speech at the festival, which he was unable to complete due to his sudden collapse. The remaining portion of his speech was later distributed to the media. Khaddam’s remarks in Al-Kalima marked his first public address on the Lebanese situation in a long time. He emphasized the importance of national unity, moderation, and dialogue, highlighting the need to move away from the painful and bitter experiences of the past. Khaddam’s speech cautioned against one faction’s triumph over another in Lebanon and urged the Lebanese people to avoid tension, fanaticism, and instead support the constitutional institutions of the state. He stated, “Let dialogue be your approach, as disputes generate tension that hampers progress.”
It is worth mentioning that the Tripoli Festival was cut short when Khaddam was taken to the hospital. Omar Karami took to the podium to apologize for the incomplete program, which was supposed to feature speeches from the representative of the President of the Republic, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nabih Berri, and former President Elias Hraoui. The festival witnessed a significant turnout from the public and high-ranking officials, and it aimed to express solidarity with Syria and other objectives.
