Tishrin: Syrian court wants to question Khaddam

A court has summoned for questioning on graft charges the former Syrian vice president Abdul Halim Khaddam who defected in 2005. Khaddam is accusing Syria's president of having threatened Lebanon's Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri months before he was assassinated.

A summons published in the state newspaper Tishrin on Monday said that former Vice President Khaddam, his wife and 23 family members, including sons, daughters and their spouses, and grandchildren, must appear in court in the northern town of Banias on April 23.

The summons did not specify the charges, but a court official in Banias said the case concerned corruption.

The judge would like to ask Khaddam about loans from a state bank and his alleged exploitation of state properties for the benefit of himself and his family, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Khaddam and his entire family live in France in exile since last year.