Argentina Cabinet Chief: doors are open to welcome Syrian refugees

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Argentina's cabinet chief says his nation is willing to welcome more Syrian refugees fleeing their country's civil war.

Anibal Fernandez said Friday that the government eased the entrance of Syrians through a program begun last year. He said the refugees will be welcomed as part of the country's tradition of helping out during humanitarian crises.

Since civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, more than 4 million Syrians have sought refuge abroad, the largest number from any crisis in almost 25 years, the United Nations has said.

Argentina's office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that the country so far has welcomed less than 100 Syrian refugees.