Jordan tightens border controls for Syrian refugees

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan says it has toughened its screening procedures for Syrian refugees as the number of individuals submitting false asylum claims is on the rise.

A government official said Tuesday individual Syrian males with residency permits elsewhere are barred entry. He said dozens coming from third countries have been turned back over the past few weeks.

The Interior Ministry estimates some 125,000 Syrians are in the country. Some cross the border directly and others enter by air via the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, or elsewhere.

The official said Jordan is concerned over a larger influx of individuals seeking to take advantage of its open border policy.

He insisted on anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.