Money drives Iraqis out of Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Some Iraqis are returning home from Syria, having run out of money and in light of government refusal to renew their visas, the U.N. refugee agency reports.

The office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees interviewed 110 Iraqis in Syria this week, the U.N. Integrated Regional Information Network reports. UNHCR found 70 percent of those who are returning to Iraq cite financial reasons and visa problems while 14 percent say the security situation in Iraq has improved.

The Iraqi government recently estimated that 46,000 people had returned, most of them from Syria while Syrian immigration officials say 60,000 Iraqis left between Oct. 1 and Nov. 19.

An Iraqi man waiting in line at the embassy in Damascus who did not want to give his name told U.N. workers he and his family plan to return to Iraq Monday.

"I have no money because I'm not allowed to work," he said. "Also my official visa has run out and the Syrian government won't renew it."