Abdul Halim Khaddam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abdul Halim Khaddam
عبدالحليم خدام |
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Foreign Minister Khaddam in 1977
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| Acting President of Syria | |
| In office 10 June 2000 – 17 July 2000 |
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| Preceded by | Hafez al-Assad |
| Succeeded by | Bashar al-Assad |
| Vice President of Syria | |
| In office 11 March 1984 – 9 February 2005 Serving with Rifaat al-Assad and Zuhair Masharqa
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| President | Hafez al-Assad Bashar al-Assad |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 5 July 1970 – 1 March 1984 |
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| Preceded by | Mustapha al-Said |
| Succeeded by | Farouk al-Sharaa |
| Member of the Regional Command of the Syrian Regional Branch | |
| In office 13 November 1970 – 9 February 2005 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 September 1932 Baniyas, Mandatory Syria |
| Died | 31 March 2020 (aged 87) Paris, France |
| Political party | Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party (1984–2006) National Salvation Front in Syria (2006–2020) |
Abdul Halim Khaddam (15 September 1932 – 31 March 2020) was an important Syrian politician. He served as the Vice President of Syria and also played a key role in Lebanon from 1984 to 2005. For a long time, he was a strong supporter of Hafez al-Assad. However, he later disagreed with Hafez's son, Bashar al-Assad, and left his position in 2005.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Abdul Halim Khaddam was born on 15 September 1932. His birthplace was Baniyas, a city in Syria. His family were Sunni Muslims and came from a middle-class background. His father was a respected lawyer. Khaddam went to school in Baniyas for his elementary and secondary education. Later, he studied law at Damascus University.
Political Career in Syria
Khaddam joined the Baath Party when he was only 17 years old. His political journey began in 1963. He became the governor of Quneitra after the Baath Party came to power. He then served as governor in Hama and Damascus.
In 1969, he became the Minister of Economy and Trade. This made him the youngest minister in Syria's history. He later became an advisor to Hafez al-Assad. From 1970 to 1984, he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister. He worked under the Syrian leader Hafez al-Assad.
In 1976, Khaddam was slightly hurt in an attack in Damascus. In 1977, he survived another attack at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Sadly, another minister was killed in that attack.
In August 1979, he visited Tehran after the Iranian Revolution. He publicly stated that Syria supported the revolution.
Serving as Vice President
Khaddam became the Vice President of Syria on 11 March 1984. He held this position until 2005. As Vice President, he was in charge of political and foreign affairs. He played a key role during the Lebanon Civil War. Because of this, he was sometimes called the "High Commissioner" or "Godfather" of Lebanon.
After Hafez al-Assad died in 2000, Khaddam led a committee. This committee helped manage the country during the change. He was appointed as the temporary President of Syria on 10 June 2000. He helped Hafez's son, Bashar al-Assad, become the new president in July 2000.
Khaddam was one of the few Syrian officials who had close ties with Lebanese leaders. He was good friends with Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Hariri and Khaddam's sons worked together on many business projects.
Resignation and Exile
As Bashar al-Assad became stronger, Khaddam and other older officials lost their influence. On 5 June 2005, Khaddam announced his resignation. He did this during a Baath Party meeting. He openly criticized the government's actions, especially in Lebanon. This was a very brave move in Syria.
After resigning, he moved to Paris, France, with his family. He was worried about their safety. He became the last important "old guard" official to leave the government.
Leaving Syria
On 30 December 2005, Khaddam left Syria. In an interview, he criticized Bashar al-Assad's handling of Lebanon. He also said that former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri had received threats from Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian parliament quickly responded. They voted to accuse him of treason. The Baath Party also removed him from the party. Khaddam later met with UN investigators in Paris. These investigators were looking into the assassination of Rafik Hariri. Khaddam said he believed Assad ordered Hariri's assassination.
In January 2006, Khaddam announced he was forming an "opposition government". He believed Assad's government would end soon. Khaddam was the highest-ranking Syrian official to publicly break ties with the Syrian government. In 2006, he formed an opposition group called the National Salvation Front in Syria (NSF). This group supported political change in Syria.
Trial in Syria
In August 2008, a military court in Damascus held a trial for Khaddam. He was not present at this trial. The court found him guilty of "slandering the Syrian leadership."
Role in the Syrian Civil War
Khaddam was seen as an opposition leader to the Syrian government by the United States and the European Union. He kept strong connections with many high-ranking army generals who had left the Syrian government. He supported them in their efforts against Bashar al-Assad.
Personal Life
Khaddam was married to Najat Marqabi. She came from a wealthy family in Tartus. They had three sons and one daughter. One of his granddaughters is married to Rafik Hariri's son. Khaddam enjoyed reading political books and hunting.
He passed away from a heart attack on 31 March 2020 in Paris, France.
Images for kids
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Khaddam, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, with Prince Saud al Faisal, Ronald Reagan, and George Shultz in 1981
See Also
- National Salvation Front in Syria
