Syrian refugees seek new passports in Lebanon to reach Europe

PanARMENIAN.Net - Hundreds of Syrian refugees line up outside their embassy in Jordan every day for a long shot at a better future — applying for new passports that allow them to enter Turkey legally and from there start on a dangerous trek to Europe, the Associated Press reports.

The crowds in Amman have been turning up since Syria began issuing passports for large numbers of refugees without travel documents. Also, cuts in international aid have made the refugees' survival even tougher in Mideast host countries like Jordan.

There is also a sense of urgency among the refugees, after several European countries re-imposed border checks in recent days to stem the flow of migrants.

The new possibility of a direct Jordan-Turkey route feeds into growing migration from the conflict-scarred Middle East to an increasingly overwhelmed Europe.

EU member states have been arguing over a solution, with some rejecting Germany's proposed quota system for accepting migrants, saying it's too big a burden. Others believe quotas will only encourage more migration and that the world must send more help to keep refugees in host countries neighboring Syria.