“That’s my house, that’s where we lived,” said the Syrian refugee in Germany, before his smile turns sad. ADVERTISEMENTBut a new law allowing the Syrian government to seize homes for redevelopment has raised Mohammed’s fears he’ll never be able to realize that dream. In Europe, the move has caused concern that without the incentive of property to return to, many Syrians will decide to stay forever. “This is bad news for all of those who want to return to Syria one day,” Merkel told reporters after meeting Putin. “The law aims to protect the personal rights and properties of every Syrian citizen abroad or inside Syria,” Syrian Minister of National Reconciliation Ali Haidar told The Associated Press.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 10, 2018 10:41 UTC