Denial of Douba, Shihabi joining Khaddam
Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 1/9/2006

A senior Syrian official source has mocked at tidings recently circulated by some Arab and international media means with regard to the defection of the former chief of the Syrian military security department Major General Ali Douba and former Syrian staff Lt. Gen Hikmat Shihabi in order to join former vice president Abdul Halim Khaddam in exile.

The source branded the news as fabrications based on lies released by Khaddam.

The source told Al-Khaleej newspaper that "Khaddam ignores the fact that he is persona non grata and he is despised by all Syrian people. This was obviously shown through the Syrian people's reaction on Khaddam's high treason."

The source pointed out that "the Syrian regime is strong and only the Syrian people can choose their leadership."

"The pupets of the foreign intervention forces such as Khaddam can not affect the unity of the Syrian people and their unlimited support to the strong President Bashar Al-Assad," the source added.

Concerning Syria's ability to overcome difficulties and challenges which will face it in forthcoming stage, the source indicated that the Syrian leadership is fully aware of size of pressures, affirming that the Syrian stance will be firm on bases outlined by Al-Assad's speech of last November.

The source said that Al-Assad's speech centered on many vital issues including: Syria's interest lies in prevailing security and stability in the region, non escalation with the USA, and holding solid and brotherly ties with Lebanon.

"This entails that Syria should be strong (or) an all out chaos will prevail, and then the USA and those who constitute alliance with it (regionally and internationally) will bear responsibility," the source added.

The source suspected that Khaddam's testimony to the UN investigation committee on Rafiq al-Hariri assassination will be a basis on which to convict Syria. The source made it clear that Khaddam repeated the same line Deltev Mehlis adopted during his presidency to the UN investigation team.

"If the new chairman of the (UN investigation committee) Serge Brammertz adopts Khaddam's allegations, the committee will be looked at as un-credible and unprofessional and arbitrarily making accusations which are not based on facts", Al-Khaleej reported the Syrian source saying.

Previous Stories:
  An-Nahar: Khaddam give testimony to UN investigators   (1/7/2006)
  Al-Osboo: Al-Assad refuses to meet UN investigators, denies threatening Hariri   (1/7/2006)
  Financial Times: Muslim Brotherhood leader supports Syrian defector, Khaddam   (1/7/2006)
  Syrian opposition distance itself from Khaddam   (1/7/2006)

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