Syria extends window for displaced to prove land ownership

Syria has extended the window for citizens to prove they own land being seized for development under a controversial law that is feared could prevent many of the millions of displaced Syrians from ever returning to their homes.

Syrians have been given a year, increased from 30 days, to make their claims over private property being used in new developments.

They will still lose their property under the law, known as Decree 10, but will be compensated with shares.

Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said at a press conference in Damascus that the nationwide law was "necessary" after the government regained control of the former rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta outside the capital in April, taken through a military assault and evacuation deals that displaced tens of thousands from their homes.

"Property regulation was necessary to restore the rights of the owners," he said, accusing rebels of "burning real estate records" and "manipulating" property deeds when they held the region.

But critics have raised concerns about the repercussions of such a law, especially for those affiliated to anti-government groups who will likely not dare to make a claim.

Human Rights Watch has said the law amounts to "forced eviction".

Last week, Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil warned that Decree 10 could hinder the return of an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees who have sought refuge in his country.

But Muallem on Saturday dismissed such charges as unfounded.

"We are keen for displaced Syrians to return to their hometowns and we will provide all necessary facilitations to those who wish to return," he said, adding he would send a reply to Bassil on Sunday.

Syria's war erupted in March 2011 and has since forced more than five million people to flee the country and has displaced over six million internally.

Muallem also said on Saturday that the government wants to recapture territory in southwestern Syria, which has remained controlled by rebels while other parts of country have fallen to government offensives.

He said the government is trying to convince the rebels to accept state rule or leave the areas.

“If it does not work, that's a different conversation," he said.