He might live in exile for years, it does not leave Syria eyes. Ribal al-Assad is first, as its name implies, a member of the al-Assad. Her father, Rifat, is well known to Syrians. This is the first former vice president, known for having led the ferocious repression of Hama and Aleppo in 1982. It is also the younger brother of Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for 30 years. But two years before he died, Hafez al-Assad has his own favorite son Bashar to take over the reins of power. Definitely fell into disgrace in 1998, Rifaat al-Assad was then exiled.
FRANCE 24: More than 230 members of the Baath Party have announced their resignations Wednesday. How do you see the situation in Syria?
Ribal al-Assad: What is happening in Syria is a disaster.Instead of putting in place reforms quickly is by violence that Bashar al-Assad meets with protesters. It's madness. There are people around him who have an interest in what the regime uses force to prevent the reforms to succeed. Bashar al-Assad is particularly taken by two of his cousins. First there is Rami Makhlouf, who is one of the largest fortunes in Syria, and his brother Gen. Hafez Makhlouf. They have everything to lose in these revolts since it is they who control the Syrian economy.
FRANCE 24: But President Bashar al-Assad can continue to ignore the events?
Ribal al-Assad: You know, all alone, Bashar al-Assad can not do anything.Constitutionally, it combines the functions of president, chairman of the Baath Party and army chief, but in reality it is nothing. And it did not grip his father Hafez al-Assad. Moreover, he accuses foreign powers of being behind the demonstrations. This is absurd. The Syrians saw what happened in Tunisia, Egypt, or even in Yemen. They want to live in a democracy.
FRANCE 24: The opposition in Syria is not structured. There is no party may take overnight relay of the Baath party. How then to consider a peaceful transition to democracy?
Ribal al-Assad: The protesters are peaceful. This is the regime that uses violence.Next, we need all the political sensitivities are represented: the Kurds, opponents in exile as well as all minorities ... The ruling clan brandishes the threat of a sectarian war in order to allow the Iranians to call for help. Tehran is close to the al-Assad. The fall of President Bashar al-Assad would undermine its influence in the region. Besides, I do not see a scenario in Egyptian occur. Iran will never let the regime collapse.
FRANCE 24: You're the cousin of Bashar, the son of Rifaat, former Syrian vice president and younger brother of Hafez al-Assad ... Do not you think that the Syrians want to turn the page of the al- Assad?
Ribal al-Assad: My father Rifaat al-Assad is a respected, you know.I live in exile since the age of 9 years, and nobody ever wanted to leave my father Rifaat al-Assad nor his family live in peace in Syria. An example: in 1994, I had to go study at Boston University. Officers tried to kill me at the airport in Damascus. But the military has recognized my father who accompanied me, and that's why they could not kill me. My father was very popular in Syria, especially in the army. We have been unjustly accused. Moreover, the Syrian regime even accused me of being in Lebanon, alongside Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister. This same information is reflected by the website Al-Manar Hezbollah. This is nonsense.As for my father, is accused of having sent troops to Hama in 1982, but this is false. He also refused to endorse these responsibilities. All that has been mounted. My father still has many adherents in all faiths.
FRANCE 24: You are chairing a London-based NGO, the Organization for Democracy and freedom in Syria. Does that mean you think you can embody a political alternative to the Baath Party?
Ribal al-Assad: I was among the first to call for democracy, true. I also chairs the television channel ANN (Arabic News Network), whose regime has tried to prevent the broadcast. But I do not want to go to Syria to found a political party.Now, for me it is very simple: I have family that I have not seen in years. I want to live like we can live in France or the United Kingdom: Security in beside her. The only solution is democracy.
