UNHCR raises concerns over new Iraqi refugee controls in Syria

Geneva - The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said Monfday it is urgently seeking assurances from Syria over its plans to tighten visa controls for Iraqi refugees. Syria has provided shelter for the bulk of Iraqi refugees, an estimated 1.4 million out of 2.2 million believed to have fled their country, according to UN figures. Damascus has said new visa requirements were necessary because the influx of people had pushed the country to 'breaking point.' So far, no details have been given - but the government has said there will be no forcible return. Syria is the only country so far to have resisted strict entry regulations for Iraqis. Jordan, which has between 500,000 and 750,000 Iraqis, has largely limited access to new arrivals. UNHCR has spearheaded calls for the international community to help the region cope with the enormous burden of Iraqis and launched two appeals since the start of the year for more than 100 million US dollars (73.6 million euro) to provide humanitarian assistance and help in the education sector. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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UNHCR raises concerns over new Iraqi refugee controls in Syria

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