Italy pauses asylum applications from Syria

Italy's government on Monday said it would pause asylum applications from Syria, a statement said, following similar moves from European neighbours after the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

"The government decided, similarly to other European partners, to suspend proceedings on asylum applications from Syria," the statement said after a meeting between government chief Giorgia Meloni and some ministers on Syria.

Other European countries, including Germany, put asylum applications from Syrians on hold until further notice while France said it hoped to announce a similar decision shortly.