Many European countries have put asylum applications from Syrians on hold after rebels seized the Syrian capital and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia following 13 years of civil war. Here is what European countries have done: AUSTRIA Austria's caretaker government on Monday ordered a stop to the processing of asylum applications by Syrians.

The Swiss government said it was suspending asylum procedures for Syrians until it can better assess the situation in the Middle Eastern country following the capture of Damascus by rebels and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's flight to Russia.

A growing number of European countries said they would stop processing asylum claims, and some want to pressure Syrians to leave.

Syrian rebels, who toppled President Bashar Assad over the weekend, named Mohamed al-Bashir as caretaker prime minister of the transitional government Tuesday as Damascus gradually returns to normal life.

Refugees from Syria's long civil war were making their way home on Wednesday, as a new interim prime minister said he had been appointed with the backing of the rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad.

Syria's new interim leader announced on Tuesday he was taking charge of the country as caretaker prime minister with the backing of the former rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad three days ago.

The UK has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims, after the country's President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the situation was "moving extremely fast after the fall of the Assad regime" and some people were returning to Syria following recent developments.