Former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam believes that Lebanon’s fate is linked to Syria’s, stating, “If the regime in Syria falls, Lebanon will be liberated.”
Khaddam told “Al-Nahar” newspaper on the sidelines of the founding meeting of the “National Authority for Supporting the Syrian Revolution” held in Paris: “Lebanon is currently occupied by Iran. If this regime continues in Syria, the occupation will keep the Lebanese under its control.”
He considered that “there is no state in Lebanon today, and the authority is in the hands of Hezbollah. Consequently, one cannot speak of the Lebanese state. The President of the Republic is under the umbrella of Hezbollah, and the army commander, prime minister, and all institutions are under this umbrella,” questioning, “Who makes decisions in Lebanon today?”
While confirming that Syria will be “liberated,” he responded to a question about the dangers facing Syrian society and their potential impact on Lebanese society, and whether the civil war in Syria could spread to Lebanon: “A civil war will not occur in Syria.” He explained, “What could happen in Syria is an armed conflict with the regime, not a civil war. People clashing with each other is unlikely in Syria.”
He recalled the extension period for former Lebanese President Emile Lahoud in September 2004, saying, “Before my private visit to Paris and during my farewell to President Bashar al-Assad, I asked him about his position on extending Lahoud’s term. He said, ‘We will not proceed with the extension. Neither Syrians desire it nor do the Arabs, the Lebanese, nor the influential Western countries in the region want it.’ I told him, ‘I hope you do not make a decision to extend under pressure. If you decide to extend, Syria will be at the heart of the international game.’ He said, ‘God forbid.’ He asked me to inform President Rafik Hariri that the decision to extend is not on the table. I called Hariri and informed him that I was with President Assad, and he asked me to convey the decision. Four days after my arrival in Paris, Hariri called me and said, ‘Your friend changed his position.’ I asked, ‘What changed?’ He said he wants to extend Lahoud’s term. I then advised Hariri to agree, take a plane, resign, and leave the country.”