DUBAI, Dec 30: Former Syrian Vice President Abdulhalim Khaddam on Friday denounced the government of President Bashar al-Assad, saying it had committed many mistakes during its domination of neighbouring Lebanon.

In an interview with Arab satellite television Al Arabiya from Paris, Khaddam listed what he said were examples of political blunders by Syria in Lebanon. The channel said it would air the full interview at 1900 GMT.

His remarks were a rare attack on the Syrian government by a former official.

Khaddam, veteran aide to Syria’s late President Hafez al-Assad, stepped down in June, almost five months after the Feb. 14 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. He had been pointman on Lebanon for the late Assad.—Reuters