Croatia temporarily suspends asylum applications of Syrians after Assad's fall

Croatia said it had temporarily suspended asylum applications from Syrians, following the lead of other European governments, after rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad after 13 years of civil war.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said his ministry had instructed authorities "to halt on an interim basis requests for asylum by Syrian citizens until some decision has been brought at the European Union level".

Other European countries, including Germany, Norway, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland, have also announced suspensions of Syrian requests pending clarity on political developments in Syria.

Bozinovic noted that Syrians had fled an oppressive regime that had killed its own citizens.

"This regime does not exist anymore ... and we all hope that the situation in the country will enable Syrians to return to their country, which is in the interest of all," he said on Monday evening.

The decision, which affects tens of thousands of open claims, reflects the rapidly changing political situation in Syria as well as a resurgence across Europe of right-wing parties keen to restrict immigration.

(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Kate Mayberry)