Syrians Flood Swedish Embassies After Asylum Offer

 Sweden on Friday advised Syrians against rushing to its embassies in a futile bid for asylum, saying that only those already in Sweden could apply.

 In early September, Sweden became the first and so far only European Union country to promise blanket asylum to all Syrian citizens already in Sweden, citing the violence in Syria.

 “More Syrians have come to Sweden’s embassies in the countries around Syria to ask for asylum,” said Camilla Aakesson Lindblom, a spokeswoman for the Swedish Foreign Ministry. “However, you cannot apply for asylum at the embassies,” according to the France News Agency.

 No figure was given for the number of asylum seekers at Swedish embassies in recent days, but the Foreign Ministry said it was reinforcing its diplomatic staff overseas to help handle the situation.

 Sophia Oehvall Lindberg, a spokeswoman for the Swedish Migration Board, said Syrians can apply for asylum only after they have reached Sweden.

 “In the period from Sept. 4 to 11, we have received 2,000 applications for asylum, which is really a lot, including 700 from Syrians,” she said, adding that during normal weeks Sweden only gets 600 to 800 applications from all nationalities. She said it was too early to say if the spike was related to Sweden’s decision granting blanket asylum.”

 In August, 4,804 people, including Syrians and other citizens of other countries, applied for asylum in Sweden, up 17 percent from July. Since early 2012, Sweden has received about 14,700 asylum applications from Syrians.