Khaddam (left) and Assad in happier days
Photo: AP
Syrian exiles in London: Regime doomed
In 'unprecedented' conference held in British capital, former vice president claims 'people are hungry, their welfare robbed by corrupt elite'
Efforts to bring down Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime have gained momentum in a public conference being held by his exiled opponents in London. The conference is chaired by former Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam, who predicted that the days of the Syrian president were numbered.
Talking to a London Times reporter, under heavy security, Khaddam claimed that the corruption and the exploitation of power distanced Assad Jr. from Syrian citizens.
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"This regime is doomed," the exiled politician ruled. "He must use harsh oppression means, while the people are hungry and see their welfare being robbed by the corrupt elite."
The front headed by 74-year-old Khaddam claims that it is supported by 75 senior figures from across the Syrian political spectrum, who are currently in exile, including members of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, which is illegal in Damascus.
'Assad knew about Hariri's assassination'
In spite of the conference, which was defined by its organizers as "unprecedented in its scope and objectives," it seems that Assad has succeeded in defeating his home opposition and strengthening his regime, ever since enraging the West following the mysterious assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
In the London interview, Khaddam reiterated his stance that it is impossible that the former Lebanese prime minister was assassinated without the Syrian President knowing about it.
British government officials denied any connection to the Syrian exiles' conference in their capital, claiming that it was organized independently and without any governmental support.
