UN Asks European Countries Not To Rush To Return Refugees To Syria

JAKARTA - The UN special envoy for Syria said European countries should not rush to repatriate refugees to the country after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's rule.

The United Nations urges foreigners, including Israel, not to intervene militarily.

Syria is still in turmoil three days after Assad's ouster, with the conflict continuing in the northeast. Meanwhile, Israel carried out bombings of targets and expanding the buffer zone within the country.

"The situation in Syria is still changing," Geir Pedersen said at a press conference at UN headquarters in Geneva.

Although many Syrians want to return to their hometowns, according to him there are still challenges in making a living. The humanitarian situation is very concerning.

News of Assad's fall prompted politicians in several European countries to call for a temporary suspension of processing of asylum applications or even repatriation of refugees from conflict for 13 years.

"(The return) is something many Syrians expect, but let's make sure the international community helps them in this process," he said.

"Israel's campaign bombarding military installations in Syria is something that is deemed important to its security needs to be stopped," said Pedersen.

"It is very important that we see no action from any international actor destroying the possibility of a transformation in Syria," he told reporters.