BRUSSELS: Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced that Syrians residing in Belgium will not be repatriated until stability is restored in their homeland. This decision follows the recent overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, which has prompted European nations to reconsider their asylum policies. According to Anadolu Agency, De Croo emphasized that Belgium has a responsibility to ensure the safe return of Syrians only when the situation stabilizes and aligns with international agreements. He acknowledged the instability in Syria despite the political change and expressed the necessity for a peaceful transition and representative governance in the country. De Croo also called for an immediate cessation of Israeli bombings to aid the stabilization process. In response to the regime's overthrow, Belgium and other European Union countries are re-evaluating their asylum policies. Belgium announced a temporary suspension of new asylum applications from Syrians as of December 9, although the duration of this measure remains unspecified. Syrians represent a significant portion of asylum seekers in Belgium, with about 35,000 individuals having been granted asylum since the onset of the civil war in 2011.