Bayanouni says Khaddam planned defection since 2003
Syria's exiled Muslim Brotherhood leader said on Saturday that former Vice-President Abdel-Halim Khaddam informed the group in 2003 that he planned to break ranks with President Bashar al-Assad.
"I might be revealing a secret (but) the position that Mr. Khaddam has taken was no a surprise to us," Ali Bayanouni told al-Jazeera satellite tv.
"In 2003... an envoy came to us voicing his (Khaddam's) support and stressing that we should continue our moderate and open approach, and saying that he would join the opposition and announce this position when circumstance permitted," he indicated.
