BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam collapsed Sunday while delivering a speech at a rally in Lebanon and was rushed to a hospital, state-run Lebanese television reported.

Khaddam, Syria's vice president since 1984, collapsed 15 minutes into a speech broadcast live from the northern Lebanese town of Tripoli.

The speech was to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rashid Karami. Tripoli is Karami's hometown.

It was Khaddam's first visit to Lebanon in more than two years. It was not immediately known why he collapsed.

Khaddam served as interim president following the death of the late Syrian leader Hafez Assad in June 2000. The presidency was taken up later by Assad's son and designated successor, Bashar Assad.

During his career, Khaddam has also served as foreign minister and overseen Syria's interests in Lebanon. Syria maintains 35,000 troops in Lebanon and is the dominant power in the Mediterranean coast nation.