
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany no longer has reason to grant asylum to Syrians after the end of the country's civil war. Merz added that they should be encouraged to return to Syria to help rebuild their homeland.
"The civil war in Syria is over. There are no longer any reasons to grant asylum in Germany, which means we can start the repatriation process," Merz said.
Chancellor Merz also pledged that Berlin would contribute to the reconstruction of Syria, but noted that he expected many of the Syrian refugees currently in Germany to return home to participate in the process.
"Without these people, reconstruction is impossible. And those in Germany who refuse to return to their country, we can certainly deport them in the near future," he added.