Former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam suggested that the fate of President Bashar al-Assad is either escape or being dragged through the streets by the revolutionaries, similar to what happened to the late Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. He emphasized that Bashar will not remain in power.
Khaddam stated in an interview with the Kuwaiti newspaper “Al-Siyasah”: “Bashar al-Assad will not continue in power, and his fate is either escape or being dragged through the streets by the revolutionaries, like Gaddafi.”
He affirmed that the current Syrian regime created a dangerous and bitter atmosphere of sectarian tension in Syria. He pointed out that Sunnis make up 90% of the population, while the Alawite sect comprises only 5% to 6%. He questioned how this small portion, which does not represent a majority or a significant minority, can continue to rule.
Khaddam revealed that the majority of Alawites support the downfall of the regime but fear joining the revolution due to the risk of retaliation. He noted, “The Alawites in Syria are afraid and terrified of Bashar’s crackdown and the revenge of the revolution. The majority of Alawites want Bashar to fall, but they haven’t declared it yet out of fear of his violent reaction.” He urged them to overcome their fear and join the uprising.
He criticized the harsh criticism directed by the Syrian regime towards Nabil Elaraby, the Secretary-General of the Arab League. Khaddam explained that Elaraby doesn’t possess the power to make decisions within the Arab League; he is merely its Secretary-General and announces final decisions made by unanimous agreement among its members.
Regarding the connection between the Assad regime and the assassination of Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Khaddam revealed that during a leadership meeting, Bashar Assad stated that they were under attack by the U.S.-French alliance with the help of Hariri, who was aligning the Sunnis against the Alawites. Khaddam alerted Assad to the danger of his statement spreading publicly, but Assad did not heed the advice. Khaddam also mentioned that the Syrian regime had punished Alawite dissidents more severely than Sunnis for criticizing the government.
Khaddam believed that the relationship between Assad and Ghazi Kanaan, the former Syrian Interior Minister, was tense. He stated that Kanaan would communicate with the president’s secretary rather than the president himself to receive instructions. He also emphasized that both Assad’s and Kanaan’s families belong to the same tribe but come from different branches.
In terms of security practices during Syria’s control over Lebanon, Khaddam admitted that the Syrian intelligence carried out brutal and horrifying actions during that period. He claimed that he, as well as the Chief of Staff, were not fully aware of these practices at the time.
Khaddam concluded that the foundation of corruption emerged within the Assad family and expanded into a widespread phenomenon. He noted that the main goal for many Syrian intelligence officers sent to work in Lebanon was to accumulate wealth by any means possible.
Reflecting on his time as a member of the regime, Khaddam stated that he was responsible for foreign policy and had no direct involvement in internal affairs. He challenged anyone to recall an incident where he mistreated a Syrian citizen during his time in power.
