THE HAGUE, 24/01/04 - Asylum seekers from the north of Iraq can go back to their country. From 1 February, the moratorium on their return will be lifted, the cabinet decided on Friday.

The situation in the north of Iraq has improved to such an extent that the temporary halt on repatriation can be rescinded, according to Aliens Policy and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk. The moratorium was introduced last February in connection with the threatening war situation in Iraq.

If the Lower House also agrees, Verdonk can start to re-examine the asylum dossiers of the north Iraqis, predominantly Kurds. The halt on the return of refugees to central Iraq was extended on Friday, though, as the situation there is still bad. The cabinet will reassess the situation in June.

Refugees from Liberia will not be sent home for the time being, either. A stop has been in effect for this country since last June. The situation there is still "unpredictable and worrying," the cabinet stated. Verdonk anticipates developments this spring that may change the situation in Liberia for the better. The cabinet will reconsider this moratorium by June at the latest.