"In the presidential circle, the money embezzled from Lebanon and Syria was over $20 billion," Khaddam told Le Nouvel Observateur Magazine from his self-chosen exile in France.

He said Lahoud had warned Assad before the Syrian president imposed the extension of his term that any other Lebanese head of state would open the files of Al-Madina Bank and the transfer of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's money to Lebanon.

Khaddam was referring to the Al-Madina bank scandal which has been linked to the killing of former Premier Rafik Hariri. The U.N. probe has said fraud, corruption and money laundering may have been connected to the assassination.

Khaddam also said Lahoud and intelligence services in Lebanon and Syria were involved in corruption.

He said he had advised Hariri on several occasions to leave Lebanon but the premier did not heed the advice because he was determined to take part in Lebanon's parliamentary elections.

"Lebanon cannot be ruled against Syria however it cannot be ruled by Syria," Khaddam quoted Hariri as saying.

"This is the statement that killed him," continued the Syrian official.

Another Damascus Declaration?

In a related development As Safir daily newspaper reported that a group by the name of Syrian Democratic Gathering issued a declaration in which it requested the Syrian authorities to:

* Make the files on corruption public
* Immediately start the investigations on corruption
* Pursue and prosecute all corrupt individuals regardless of who they are.
* Issue a new election law that will result in true representation of the people of Syria.
* Lift the state of Emergency
* Free all political prisoners

The main parties that signed the declaration are as follows:

* Democratic National Grouping in Syria
* Syrian Democratic Party
* Committees for the Revival of Civil Society
* Assyrian Democratic Party
* Syrian Social Nationalist Party
* Syrian Liberal and democratic party
* Activists without borders
* Party of free democrats

It is interesting to note here that the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) was a party to this declaration. This is indeed a new development since this party has always been very loyal to the Assad regime both in Lebanon and Syria. Whether SSNP in Lebanon will join the anti-Syrian group, will remain to be seen.

Sources: Ya Libnan, Naharnet, As Safir