Armenia sees surge in foreign asylum seekers due to Syria crisis

YEREVAN, Armenia, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign citizens seeking refuge in Armenia grown eight times last year, most of whom were from crisis-hit Syria, authorities said Wednesday.

Most of the 579 foreigners asking for asylum last year were Syrians and 87 out of the 92 asylum-seekers in January also came from that country, said Gagik Yeganyan, head of the country's immigration service.

However, out of last year's 496 Syrian asylum seekers, only 155 were recognized as refugees, he added.

Between 2009 and 2011, the number of foreign citizens asking for asylum in Armenia had not exceeded 100.

According to Armenian law, a refugee status grants the individual the right of permanent residence with no specific term limits.

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