Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallim has informed his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari that effective September, Syria will start requiring visas from Iraqis wanting to enter the country for trade, economic or educational purposes. Previously, Syria was the only country in the region that allowed Iraqi refugees to enter and stay for up to six months without a visa. However, with the continued influx of refugees from neighboring Iraq, Syria's health and educational systems are allegedly being severely strained.
Germany to help Syria with Iraqi refugees
At a joint press conference on 29 August with Syrian Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs Abdullah al-Dardari, visiting German Economic Cooperation and Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zaul announced Germany's intention to offer four million euros to help Syria in hosting Iraqi refugees. According to the German official, this special fund is on top of the 34 million euros Germany has granted Syria for its various development projects.
Sources: Xinhua, "Germany to offer 4 million euros to help Syria on Iraqi refugees," People's Daily, 29 August 2007; "Iraqis face Syrian visa demands," BBC News, 31 August 2007